JP3034922B2 - Copier information output device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a method of outputting various types of information (such as the total number of copies, a breakdown total, an adjustment value, and billing information) in a copying machine. As a visible image that combines the information, 1
The present invention relates to an information output device of a copier that prints out on a copy sheet.

[Conventional technology]

As conventional techniques for outputting various information inside a copying machine as a visible image together with a copying machine of a specific manuscript, JP-A-64-92763, JP-A-64-92764, JP-A-64-92765, There is JP-A-64-72766. Here, a part of the specific document image is deleted in units of dots, and as a result, characters,
A format for outputting an image such as a graph is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-14047 discloses a conventional technique for outputting various information in a copying machine as a visible image. This technique is mainly discussed from the viewpoint of whether or not copying is permitted in a general copying operation, and also describes, although to a lesser extent, the output of a totaling result.

In this technique, a format is disclosed in which a management key switch is used to output the data corresponding to the headline as a character image to a printer other than a copying machine in which the copy count of each department or individual is counted. In this way, the total data cannot be output except for the special administrator having the key, so that the hermeticity can be protected.

Further, examples of this type of technology include JP-A-64-7056, 7 and JP-A-1-297665.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-92763, 4,5,6, the original is displaced from the reference position because the visible image generated by erasing is generated at a fixed position. In such a case, for example, there is a problem that a heading portion is erased or an output information density cannot be increased.

Here, in order to increase the information density, it is conceivable to perform additional recording instead of erasing the image. In this case, however, it is difficult to read the heading, table, and additional image because they are embedded in each other, and the original is printed on the platen. If there is a slight deviation from the reference position where the document is placed, additional images such as numerical values generated at the fixed position as if the original were placed at the reference position do not fit in the blanks of the chart and overlap with the chart, and in the worst case, There is a problem that it becomes impossible to read correctly.

On the other hand, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-14047,
Since it is necessary to add a key switch, a magnetic card reading means, and a printer, there is a disadvantage that the burden on cost and installation space increases. Also, in order to minimize costs, printers must be simplified, and all natural parts of hiragana and kanji are originally printed in katakana, resulting in slightly unnatural prints. Was.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above backgrounds, and has as its object to provide an information output apparatus of a copying machine that increases the information density of an additional image and has excellent visibility.

A more specific first object is to make the printed image easy to read by changing the color of the copied image and the additional image, changing the density, and further changing the halftone dot pattern, and further displacing the original slightly from the reference position. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information output device of a copying machine in which both a copied image and a visible image of added information can be correctly read even if a placed table and an added visible image overlap each other. .

A second object of the present invention is to provide an information output device of a copying machine in which an added visible image is accurately applied to a blank of a diagram of a document even if the position and angle of the document placed on a platen are displaced. Is to do.

Further, a third object is to reduce the cost by eliminating the management key switch and the separately installed printer, and to prevent the trouble that the total output image is reused by a third party. An output device is provided.

[Means for solving the problem]

The first object is a chart composed of a plurality of heading items and a line segment in a first direction corresponding to the plurality of heading items and forming a partitioned space in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal thereto. Using the original image printed with
An image output means for forming a visible image of at least two colors on a recording medium, in an information output device of a copying machine for synthesizing and copying on a recording medium by combining additional image information that fits in a blank equivalent position in an original image; A first unit comprising: a control unit for forming a copy image of an original image in a first recording color and executing control for forming an additional image not present in the original image in a second recording color; And a chart corresponding to the plurality of heading items and comprising a line segment in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction for forming a delimited space. In an information output device of a copying machine for combining an image and additional image information that fits in a blank space in an original image and copying the image onto a recording medium, an image having at least two types of image densities is selectively formed on the recording medium. Possible image forming means and A second unit comprising: a control unit for executing image density selection energizing control for forming a captured image at a first recording density and forming an additional image not present in the original image at a second recording density; and , An original image in which a plurality of heading items and a chart corresponding to the plurality of heading items and formed of a line segment in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction for forming a delimited space are printed. In the information output device of a copying machine that combines this original image with additional image information that fits in a blank space in the original image and copies it on a recording medium, at least two different halftone dots are recorded on the recording medium. Image forming means capable of forming a visible image of the pattern, and control for forming a copy image of the original image with the first halftone pattern and forming an additional image not present in the original image with the second halftone pattern are executed. Third means comprising control means for performing , Are achieved respectively.

A second object is a chart comprising a plurality of heading items and a line segment in a first direction corresponding to the plurality of heading items and forming a partitioned space in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Using the original image printed with
In an information output device of a copying machine, which synthesizes and copies on a recording medium by combining additional image information that fits in a blank equivalent position in an original image, an image reading unit that decomposes the original image into pixels and reads the original image based on a recording pixel signal. Image forming means for forming a permanent visible image on a recording medium, additional image generating means for generating an additional image signal in a readable shape such as a character or a figure, and a document based on the image data read by the image reading means. Image position adjustment for adjusting at least one of the original image copy position and the additional image position based on the original image position detection program for detecting the position where the printed chart is placed on the platen and the detected position information A fourth means including control means including a program, and a plurality of heading items, and forming a partitioned space corresponding to the plurality of heading items. The original image on which a line segment in the first direction or a chart composed of line segments in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction is printed, and this original image is combined with additional image information that fits in a blank equivalent position in the original image. Image reading means for reading an original image by decomposing the original image into pixels, and image forming means for forming a permanent visible image on a recording medium based on a recording pixel signal An image memory means, an additional image generating means for generating an additional image signal in a readable shape such as a character or a figure, and a chart printed on a document based on the image data read by the image reading means is placed on a platen. The position of the original image copying machine or the position of the additional image based on the detected original position and angle program and the detected original position and angle information. And fifth means and control means including an image position adjustment program for adjusting the angle, by connexion is achieved, respectively.

Further, a third object is a chart comprising a plurality of heading items and a line segment in a first direction corresponding to the plurality of heading items and forming a divided space in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal thereto. In an information output device of a copying machine, a desired portion of the original image is copied by using an original image printed with the original image and additional image information that fits in a blank space in the original image and copying the combined image onto a recording medium. An image processing means having a partial image erasing function for selectively erasing and a character generating function capable of generating an arbitrary character; and selectively energizing and erasing a code image portion in an original image so that a copy image of the remaining portion and an original image can be erased. A sixth means comprising a control means for executing a bias control for forming an additional image which does not exist in the image to the image processing means is achieved.

[Action]

According to the first, second, and third means, the control means
The color, density, and halftone pattern of the copied image of the original image and the additional image are different from each other, and each image is synthesized and copied on a recording medium by the image forming means.

According to the fourth and fifth means, the control means detects the platen mounting position or the mounting position and angle of the original image based on the image data read by the image reading means, and based on the detection result, the original image copy image. Is controlled by shifting and rotating or by generating and rotating the additional information generated based on the data in the information memory means from the reference position.

According to the sixth means, when the operation mode input from the console is the information output mode command, the control means first activates the image reading means to read the original image, and reads the read image. It is determined whether or not a predetermined portion of the data includes a code that allows information output. Second, if the code is a specific code that allows information output, the image processing means sets an erasure parameter in a portion corresponding to the code image, the remaining portion sets a copy parameter, and sets the data in the information memory means. An additional information image (numerical string) generation parameter is set based on. Third, the reading means, the image processing means, and the printer means are operated while being synchronized. That is, the reading means scans the original image and sends the original image signal to the image processing means, and the image processing means sends to the printer an image signal obtained by synthesizing the copy image signal obtained by deleting the code image equivalent portion of the original image and the additional character image signal. The printer forms a visible image on a recording medium as one piece of output information based on these image signals.

〔Example〕

<Overall Configuration and Schematic Function> FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital color copying machine showing an embodiment of the present invention. 100 is a scanner (hereinafter sometimes referred to as SC), 200 is an image processor (IP), 400 is a memory unit (MU), 600 is a printer (PR), 700 is a system controller (SCON), and 750 is a console unit (C
U) and 900 are digitizer units (DG), 950 is a sorter unit (ST), 980 is an ADF unit (AD), and 990 is an external device connection terminal (IF).

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of the digital color copying machine shown in FIG.

First, the schematic function of each unit will be described with reference to FIGS.

1) System controller (SCON) 700 This controller controls the entire copying machine system and is a stored program type 32-bit microcomputer system. S besides CPU, program memory and work memory
It has interface means for communicating with external units such as C100, IP200, PR600, and CU750, and an interrupt controller for performing hardware interrupt processing. This unit monitors the status of other units, determines the operation specifications of each unit that should function according to various copy modes input from the console CU, and sets the operation parameters of each unit before the copy process starts. And also supplies a processing start signal and various real-time signals required during the processing to other units.
Also, since the work memory stores information such as charging management information, the power supply is always backed up with a battery.

2) Scanner (SC) 100 The original 982 on the platen 1 is separated into R (red), G (green), and B (blue) by CCD7r, 7g, and 7b, and 400d.
The digital image signal 102 is sampled at a sampling density of pi, quantized at a quantization level of 8 bits, and supplied to the IP 200 or the external device connection interface terminal (IF) 990.

3) Image processing (IP) 200 Image processing that performs various processing such as color correction and dither processing on the RGB original image signal 102 supplied from the SC100 or IF900, and finally converts it into a CMYK signal 201 which is a print signal. There is a function, an image detection function that detects the size of the document and the color of a specific part and provides this information to the SCON700, and an image generation function that generates various patterns and numeric patterns. These three functions can be operated at the same time. For example, an image obtained by synthesizing a numeric pattern in an image of SC100 is sent to the MU 400 in the next stage, and finally a synthesized image can be obtained by PR600.

4) Memory unit (MU) 400 C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K
(Black) In processing four-color image data 201, a first operation mode in which C, M, and Y data are respectively delayed by a predetermined time with respect to K data and supplied to a PU, C, M, and Y image data 201
The image data stored in the second mode is read out with a delay of a predetermined time with respect to the K data, and is supplied to the PR 600 as C, M, Y data 401. Has an image memory means capable of selectively energizing. By operating the second mode a plurality of times and combining or partially rewriting images, characters generated by the IP 200 can be inserted into the copied image.

5) Magnetic disk unit (DD) 500 This is a large-capacity magnetic disk drive capable of storing application programs of SCON700 and image data for a plurality of pages. The drive consists of two sets, 500a and 500b, where 500a is a floppy disk drive and 500b is a hard disk drive.

6) Printer unit (PR) 600 A laser printer having a recording station of four colors C, M, Y, and K. The photoconductor is based on K data supplied from IP 200 and C, M, Y data 401 supplied from MU. 18bk, 18c, 18m, 18y
An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface by the action of the laser scanning means 41bk, 41c, 41m, and 41y, and this is made a visible image by the developing devices 20bk, 20c, 20m, and 20y, and the transfer corotrons 29bk, 29c, 29m, and 29y are formed. To transfer the full-color print image onto the transfer paper fed from the paper feed table 22 and fix it by the fixing device 36 to form a copy image.

7) Console (CU) 750 512 × 512 dot matrix liquid crystal display means, 128 × 128 matrix transparent touch switch means mounted on the display means, and buttons such as 10 keys and a start button. . The display means can display arbitrary figures and characters, an operator can obtain output information from the copying machine, and touch a switch on a predetermined microcomputer display to set a desired operation specification to the copying machine. Can be given to.

8) Digitizer (DG) 900 A means for obtaining pen input coordinate position information at intervals of 0.2 mm. The operator specifies a specific portion of a document or inputs an insertion position when a character string is inserted into a copy image. Prepared for.

9) Sorter (ST) 950 This is a means for sorting copy paper.

10) ADF (AD) 980 This is a means for automatically supplying manuscripts on the SC platen.

11) External device connection terminal (IF) 990 This is a multi-pin connection terminal for supplying image data to external devices such as general-purpose computers, receiving image data from external devices, and exchanging various information.

The configuration, operation, and operation of the SC, MU, PR, and CO use, for example, the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-25673, and will not be described in detail. AD, ST, D
G, DD, and SCON are also units composed of conventionally well-known technologies, and a description of the units will be omitted. Hereinafter, a more detailed description of the unit according to the present invention will be described.

<Details of Configuration and Function of IP200> FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the IP200. Where 102 is SC or
Input from IF, R, G, B image signal lines. 201 is a C, M, Y, K output signal line to the next unit MU400.

A plurality of processing circuits of different categories described later are provided in series between the signal lines 102 and 201, and the image data is pipeline-processed. During this time, the circuit has the ability to execute a plurality of types of processing in parallel. In addition, since the area specification processing described later can be performed, for example, a special image processing effect can be partially obtained by performing processing different from the other only on an area having a certain shape. Even if such a character does not exist in the document, an image having a visual effect as if it were a character can be formed on a copy. In addition, since an automatic image area recognizing unit is also provided, different image processing can be executed between the character part and the gray-scale image part, and the image processing can be selected by a combination of the designated area and the automatic recognition area. . Further, these various editing processes may be arranged in series instead of in parallel.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a circuit that simultaneously performs image movement of a plurality of types of moving amounts and scaling of a plurality of scaling factors, and includes a character and a grayscale image. Enlargement / reduction processing with different magnifications can be performed.

206 is an image editing circuit for mirroring images, tilting multiple angles, mosaic of multiple pitches, shadowing of multiple forms,
Editing processing such as making a plurality of forms of contour images is performed in parallel. Also, similarly to the processing circuit 205, these can be selectively applied according to the pixel position of the original image.

207 is a circuit in which a plurality of spatial filters are arranged in parallel,
Various filtering operations are applied to the R, G, B original picture signals. Since an arbitrary value is loaded from the SCON for each filter coefficient, smoothing, averaging, sharpening, primary partial imaging, secondary differential imaging, and the like of an image can be achieved. Further, it is also possible to perform image density conversion by a coefficient operation.

Reference numeral 208 denotes a circuit for simultaneously executing a plurality of gradation conversion processes arranged in parallel, and the conversion system is a table-up system using a RAM. Therefore, the SCON700 rewrites this table, so that gradation correction according to the original image signal, negative / positive inversion, density conversion, contrast conversion, gradation omission such as posterization, partial inversion of the gradation called solarization, table By setting all the values to 0, it is possible to perform operations such as blanking, and by setting all the table values to a fixed value other than 0, it is possible to perform operations such as painting.

209 is a circuit for simultaneously executing a plurality of types of color correction processing.
The R, G, B signals are converted to C, M, Y, K signals. Since the parameters of the conversion operation can be arbitrarily set by SCON700,
Various image processing such as color correction, UCR processing, color conversion, monochromatic processing, blanking, brightness conversion, color paint, and under color can be performed.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a C, M, Y, K gamma correction circuit for correcting gamma suitable for the density gradation characteristic of PR600. Internal circuits and functions are processing circuits
Same as 208.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a C, M, Y, K space filtering circuit for performing a filtering process for each of C, M, Y, and K colors. Functionally, it is similar to the circuit 207.

A dither processing circuit 212 simultaneously performs a plurality of dither processes. The dither pattern can be set arbitrarily, and halftone processing of various dot densities, dot shapes, dot sizes, and screen angles can be performed.

Each of the image processing steps 205 to 212 in the different categories described above
Are capable of performing a plurality of different processes in parallel, and only a signal resulting from one of the plurality of processes is sent to the next stage processing circuit. The processing contents of the plurality of processings are respectively variable, and the processing parameters are downloaded from the processing circuit 205 to the dither processing circuit 212 by the SCON 700 via the bus line 202 connected to the SCON 700. For example, the image editing circuit 206 can perform two types of shadowing processing of different colors, two types of mosaic processing, two types of contouring processing, one type of mirroring processing, and no processing at the same time. Pitch size, shadow width and color are operating parameters
The document is downloaded from the SCON 700 to the editing circuit 206 prior to document scanning, and only one of the eight processing results is sent to the spatial filter circuit 207 during document scanning.

This mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 4 shows the circuit
This is represented as a conceptual model having a configuration common to all of 205 to 212. indata is image data sent to the circuit from the preceding circuit. Therefore, the circuit is R, G, B data before the processing circuit 209, and C, M, Y, K data after the processing circuit 210.

p0 to pm are m + 1 parallel processing circuits to which the same image data is input. The output of these parallel processing circuits is po
It is represented by ut0 to pout m. For each of the parallel processes,
There are two cases: a case where the processing parameters are predetermined and a case where the processing parameters are variable. In the case of variable processing, before starting the image processing operation, operation parameters are loaded into internal registers via an internal bus bus directly connected to SCON700.

Since there are generally a plurality of internal registers, a part of the address signal in the bus signal is used for the selection in the address decoder d.
This is achieved by decoding with ec and connecting each of the decoded signal lines to each of the internal registers.

The parallel processing result is obtained from IN0 to INm of the multiplexer mupx.
Is input to mupx selectively outputs only one set of these input data to out. Which input data is selected depends on the input code of the SEL terminal. If 0, IN0 is output, if 1 is output, IN1 is output, and if m is output, INm is output to the OUT terminal.

adec is an image processing selection means, and in this embodiment,
This function employs a format which is provided for each image processing step having a different category. The mechanism is a look-up table circuit. Physically, a RAM is used, an input signal is connected to an address line of the RAM, and read output data of the RAM is Dout.
It is used as That is, a predetermined value is input from the Dout terminal to the mu for the 8-bit input value from a0 (msb) to c (lsb).
Output to px SEL terminal. Output values range from 0 to m. The contents of the lookup table can be arbitrarily rewritten by the SCON 700 through the internal bus bus directly connected to the bus 202.

Four bits a0 to a3 are processing selection signals from the image area designation circuit 224. C, CC, H, and P are recognition signals from the automatic image area recognition circuit 223. C is 1 when it is recognized as a black character portion, and otherwise sends a value of 0. Similarly, CC is when a character other than black is recognized, P is when a continuous tone image is recognized like a silver halide photograph, and H is when a halftone image is recognized like a printing or copying machine. 1 each
, And 0 otherwise. Therefore, if the contents of the lookup table adec are set to appropriate values, the processing results from p0 to pm can be selectively sent to the next image processing circuit according to the type of the original image and the specified area. .

This combination has 256 inputs since the input is 8 bits. When the number m + 1 of the parallel processing circuits is less than 256, the table data is set to a value smaller than m. In such a case, the same output may be naturally applied to different inputs, or the same data may be set even when m + 1 = 256.

For example, if table data at 1000XXXX (X is 1 or 0) is set to 0 as an input binary value of adec, pout0 is selected for processing of a black character portion regardless of the designated area. X
If the data at XXX0001 is set to 5, the p5 processing result is selected when the processing selection signal is 1 regardless of the type of the original image.

The selection of the parallel processing result is possible in units of one pixel. That is, it is possible to perform an arbitrary process on an arbitrary portion in one document.

Reference numeral 223 denotes an automatic image area recognition circuit. FIG. 5 shows the details of this circuit. The present circuit recognizes which one of four types of original image, black character, color character, photograph, and halftone image belongs to each pixel of the original image R, G, and B signals, and outputs it to an output line 223a. The algorithm of recognition is not described in detail because it is not within the scope of the present invention, but the differential value of image density, continuity of uniform density portion, periodicity of density distribution, continuity of lowest density portion, spatial frequency characteristics, same density The connected state of pixels and the like are analyzed for each of R, G, and B colors, and comprehensive judgment is made.

FIG. 6 shows an internal detailed structure of an image area designating circuit 224. This circuit outputs a 32-bit processing selection signal indicated by 224a from the processing circuit 205 to 212. However, one of these bits (least significant bit b0) is used as a memory overwrite signal by the MU400.
Are also supplied. This circuit has a function of generating an output signal for selectively switching image processing to a desired portion of an original image. Switching between overwriting and non-overwriting is also possible in pixel units.

The image area designating circuit 224 is used for two purposes. 1
One is a case where an operator performs special image processing on a desired area using the DG900, which is conventionally well known as a copier area designation processing. The other is that the SCON700 automatically generates the area data based on the memory data inside the SCON, the detection output value of the detection circuit, and the character code information input by the operator even if the operator does not specify the area. To the image area designation circuit 224,
This is a case where special image processing such as painting or blanking of the area shape is performed on copy paper to form a pattern image such as a character, a figure, or a graph.

Therefore, if the area shape is represented by a sequence of alphabets, numbers, and pictograms, meaningful information is provided to the operator from the copying machine in the form of a hard copy. The image area designation circuit 224 will be described later in detail.

Referring back to FIG. 3, reference numeral 221 denotes a document size detection circuit. The detection result obtained by scanning the document is stored in an internal register (status register) attached to each circuit, and the SCON 700 can refer to these registers at any time via the bus 202. Reference numeral 222 denotes a line memory circuit which stores R, G, and B image data for one line of original image scanning at an arbitrary position designated by the SCON 700 before scanning. SCON7
00 can refer to the R, G, B image data stored through the bus 202. A data compression circuit 230 compresses the R, G, B image data and sends the result to the DD 500 via the output line 501a. A compression data decompression circuit 231 restores the compressed image data sent from the DD 500 to the original R, G, B image data, and sends it to the scaling circuit 205.

In each of the processing circuits described above, a register group for determining the operation of each circuit (hereinafter referred to as a command register or a parameter register for convenience) and a register group for storing operation result information of each circuit (for convenience) (Referred to as a status register).

The configuration of the bus 202 is the same as that of a general 32-bit microprocessor bus. That is, the data bus width and the address bus width are each 32 bits, and the total is 66 signal lines, which are the sum of the read signal and the write signal as control signals. The address bus signal is decoded and used for selecting a processing circuit and an internal register. The upper 23 bits of the address bus are decoded by a decoder (not shown) in the IP 200 and used for selecting the processing circuits 205 to 212, 221 to 224, 230, and 231. The lower 9 bits of the address bus are decoded by respective decoders in each of the circuits, and are used to select one of a command register group and a status register group in each circuit. That is, each circuit is maximum
It can have 512 registers. This is no different from the general method of chip selection of peripheral elements and register selection in chips. Also, the circuit selection decoder is SCON
Of course, it may be provided on the 700 side.

Therefore, the SCON 700 can selectively and freely access one of the registers in the processing circuit through the bus 202. That is, when viewed from the SCON 700, each processing circuit and internal register can be regarded as the same as the memory connected to the CPU bus. Accordingly, the SCON 700 can extremely quickly execute the process of downloading the operation parameter to each circuit command register and obtaining the result of the process result (error information) and the size and color detection results from the status register.

(Detailed Description of Image Region Specifying Circuit 224) The block of the image region specifying circuit 224 shown in FIG. 6 will be described in detail. This circuit has internal bus lines 224-21
, Which are directly connected to the bus line 202 of the IP 200. In this circuit, there are a plurality of types of internal registers, and an address decoder is provided for selecting these, but is omitted in the figure.

Reference numerals 224 to 33 denote area register groups each including four registers a, b, c, and d. This one is shown in FIG. All four area registers have the same structure. The data of each register is SCON
Loaded from 700. This register has a word length of 32 bits and has a role of dividing one copy image into a plurality of areas and holding area processing selection data when performing different image processing for each area. Precisely as described earlier, the circuit 205
This is the selection data for selectively sending one of the parallel processing results in each of the circuits from (2) to (212) to the next-stage circuit. This register is functionally divided every four bits, and stores a selection number for selecting the processing of each of the processing circuits 205 to 211 in the unit of the division. For example, bits 12 to 15 are connected to a color processing circuit 209. Note that only bit 0 is special, and this signal is output to the MU 400 at the same time as it is connected to the dither processing circuit 212. When the MU 400 is in the second operation mode (storage mode), if this signal is 0, it does not overwrite, and if it is 1, it overwrites it. That is, a process of partially rewriting the image data in the memory is performed.

There are four area registers, one of which is selected in pixel units, and the register data is output to the image processing circuit to enable image processing for each area.

Reference numerals 224 to 34 denote multiplexers each having a 32-bit input and a 2-bit output, and these two bits are used as a selection signal for one of four area registers.

M1 of 224-23 and M2 of 224-24 are toggle memories and have a function of storing the area register selection data for all pixels of one scanning line. Each memory consists of 297 words x 32 bits and has 1
The register selection information for 16 pixels is held in words. That is, the total amount of memory is 297 m per scanning line when two bits of information are provided for each pixel at a pixel density of 400 dpi (about 16 dots / mm).
It is equivalent to a memory size of m (297 × 16 × 2).

The memories M1 and M2 operate by toggle, and when one is performing the writing operation, the other performs the reading operation. This switching is performed in units of one scanning line.

224-25 is a write / read controller, which is bus 2
Write data of 297 words from 24-21 to memory M1
Alternatively, it has a function of writing to M2 from the A port in synchronization with the bus cycle, reading data from one of the memories not being written, and outputting to B.

Reference numeral 224-22 denotes a flip-flop. The inversion is repeated by a line synchronization pulse LSYNC output once for each scanning line. This output is used as an X, Y write / read switching of the write / read controller 224-25, that is, a toggle signal.

VCLK is a video synchronization signal output for each pixel.

224-31 is a 1/16 minute cycle, and 224-30 is a resettable counter, which generates a memory address given to the B port of the controller every 16 pixels. That is, the counter 224
-30 is cleared by the LSYNC line synchronization pulse issued prior to the scanning of one scanning line, is counted up every time 16 VCLKs are input, and counts from 0 to 296. That is, memory read access is performed from the 0th to the 296th word, and the memory data is given to the multiplexers 224 to 34 via the data line Bdata of the B port.

224-32 is a hexadecimal counter, which initially counts from 0 to VCL
It is incremented for each K pulse and returns to 0 at the next pulse after counting up to 15. This count output value is used as a selection information SEL signal for selecting two consecutive bits in the memory output 1 word 32 bit data. Simply speaking, the 32 bits are divided into 16 sections each of 2 bits, and the divided 2 bits are sequentially assigned to the pixel clock VC.
The data is supplied to the register group 224-33 in synchronization with LK.

On the other hand, on the side of the area register group 224-33, 224-a is selected when the supplied signal is 0, b is selected when it is 1, c is selected when it is 2, and d is selected when the supplied signal is 3. The data is 224a and the dither processing circuit 212
Send to

10 to 14 are explanatory diagrams for describing the operation of the present circuit, and the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure
Reference numeral 699 denotes a copy sheet, and 11, 12,..., 1 m,. Although the number of scanning lines is actually 6,720 in A3 size, the number is small in the figure for easy understanding. The “4” -shaped part on the paper is one designated area,
The area other than this area (the part excluding the figure of 4) is another designated area. The former is named area 1 and the latter is named area 0. In scanning lines 11 and 12, only area 0 exists, but in scanning line 13, pixels from X0 to X1 are area 0, pixels from X1 to X2 are area 1, pixels from X2 to X3 are area 0, and pixels from X3 to X4 Is in region 1, and pixels in X4 to Xn belong to region 0. After this, in the sub-scanning section for a while, the same area switching for the main scanning continues, and when the 14 scanning lines are reached, the pixels from X0 to X1 are changed to the area 0, X1
Pixels from X0 to X2 are in area 1, and pixels from X0 to X1 are in area 0. Here, numbers such as areas 0 and 1 are referred to as area numbers.

Next, a description will be given of how the area selection signal 224a is generated for each area number and the image processing operation is performed for each area selection signal.

The area designation circuit 224 stores these area number string data in 3
SCON700 for each scanning line in the format of 2 bits x 297 word data
Given by As described in the section on the area designating circuit, the given data string is developed into a serial area number in the next scanning line in accordance with the scanning pixel position, and applied to the area register group 224-33. The control means inside the register group selects one of the area registers 224-33a, b, c, and d corresponding to the area number, and continuously outputs the data in the registers as the processing selection signal 224a. .
That is, when the data provided by the SCON 700 is divided in units of two bits and is made to correspond to the scanning pixel position, the data in the area register corresponding to the divided two-bit data is output according to the scanning position.

The data of the area registers is pre-loaded from the SCON 700 before the copy operation is started. If the data held in the registers is made different from each other, different processing selection signals can be obtained for each area number. If the four register data are the same, the same processing selection signal is obtained as a result.

The image processing circuits 205 to 212 output one of a plurality of parallel image processing results in each circuit to the next stage according to the processing selection signal 224a, and perform image processing for each designated area. Eventually, different images are obtained on the copy 982 for the areas 0 and 1.

To restate the details, first, before the copy operation,
From the ON 700 via the bus 202 to the area registers 224-33a to 224d for four areas, in this example two areas, so at least a,
b Write data corresponding to the content of image processing into the two registers. When the copy operation is started, the SCON 700 continues to send 297 words of 32-bit data to the area specifying circuit 224 for each scanning line. The transmitted data is transferred to the memory M1 via the bus 202.
Alternatively, the data is alternately written to M2, and one word is read out every 16 pixels from the memory opposite to the written one, and the read one-word 32-bit data is divided into two-bit units from the lower-order bit, and the unit is 32 bits. It is supplied to the area register group 224-33 in synchronization with the pixel clock. Since these two bits select one of a to d constituting the area register group 224-33, for example, in the scanning line 13, the values of this two-bit data string are all 0 between X0 and X1, and 0 for X1 to X2. The interval may be all 1, the interval between X2 and X3 may be all 0, the interval between X3 and X4 may be all 1, and the interval between X4 and Xn may be 0. The data unit sent by the SCON 700 to the image area specifying circuit 224 is
It is 32-bit data arranged in pairs.

Further, since the written data in the memories M1 and M2 is held until rewritten, when writing the same scanning line of the area number data continues, writing of 297 word data for each scanning line may be omitted in some cases. In other words, for a simple area like a rectangle, the data transmission process of the SCON700 only needs to be performed several times in 6720 scanning lines, and almost all scans are necessary to obtain an area consisting of a smooth curve like a circle. New area data must be sent for each line. It should be emphasized that the processing of a curved area like a circle can be realized with the smoothness of a pixel unit with the same simple circuit configuration.

(Detailed Description of Color Correction Circuit 209) FIG. 8 is an internal configuration diagram of the color correction circuit 209. 209−
10a to 10d are four sets of color correction operation circuits, each of which has R,
Performs color correction calculations by inputting 8 bits each for G and B, and outputs C, M, Y, K
It has a function to output each 8-bit value.

Reference numeral 209-11 denotes a multiplexer circuit for selectively sending output data from the four sets of operation circuits to the next-stage circuit, and SEL is a selection signal input line.

209-11 is a processing selection signal line, which is the area designating circuit 2 described above.
4 related to selection of color correction processing among 24 output lines 224a
It is connected to the lines of bits b15-b12.

209-20 is an internal bus having the same function as the IP200 bus,
209-21 is an address decoder having an internal register selection function.

From the four sets of arithmetic circuits 209-10a, d has the same configuration, which is shown in FIG. This operation circuit includes a coefficient register section and a product-sum operation section. The subscript n of anxy in the coefficient register indicates one of four types of parallel plural processing a, b, c, d, and x
And y are the row number and column number of the color correction matrix calculation.

 The color correction operation circuit executes the following product-sum operation expression.

This equation is generally well known as a masking equation, and by setting the values of the coefficients appropriately, it is possible to obtain a beautiful full-color image by canceling out the illegal components contained in the C, M, Y, and K toners.

It is easy to see from the equation that a full-color original image can be converted to a mono-color image, color-converted, or painted to be filled with a specific color regardless of the original image.

For example, if the coefficients of anx1 to anx4 are the same, C, M, Y, K
The output depends on R, G and B uniformly, and a mono-color output is obtained. Here, if the values of an1y to an4y are appropriately selected, C, M,
The mixing ratio of Y and K can be arbitrarily changed. Also for example an1y
Is a certain value, and if an2y to an4y are all 0, C
Only a single color copy is obtained.

Further, as an example, if an14, an24, an34, and an44 are set to values other than 0, and all other coefficients are set to 0, C, M are always constant without depending on the original R, G, B data. , Y, K data is output, that is, painted. Paint color is 4
Depending on the ratio of one anx1, for example, if an14 and an24 are 1 and the other is 0, C and M are equal, so they are painted in blue.

There are a total of 64 coefficient registers, 16 for each set of arithmetic circuits and four sets, but these data can be arbitrarily rewritten by the SCON700.

As an example, paint the “4” shaped part in Fig. 10,
The remaining part describes the case where normal full color processing is performed. First, before the copy operation, the SCON 700 sets a full-color processing coefficient in the 16 coefficient registers 209-10a and a paint coefficient in the 16 registers 209-10b. Also, 0 is set to 4 bits b15-b12 related to the color processing selection of the area register 224-33a of the area specifying circuit 224, and 1 is set to 224-33b.
Is set in advance. Next, after the copy operation is started, as described in the previous section, 297 words of area switching data corresponding to the shape of "4" are continuously sent for each scanning line. In this way, the region designation circuit 224 sends the tenth
In the figure, signals are sent such as 0 at x0, 1 at x1, 0 at x2, 1 at x3, 0 at x4, the inside of the figure 4 is painted, and the rest is subjected to normal full color processing Become.

(Detailed Description of Line Memory Circuit 222) FIG. 22 is a circuit block diagram of the line memory circuit 222.
22-10 is an internal bus directly connected to the bus 202, 222-21a,
b, c, d are position registers holding sub-scanning position data to store R, G, B image data, and 222-20a, b, c, d read
There are four line memories for storing R, G, and B image information. Any value can be set in the position register 222-21 from the SCON 700.

The R, G, B signals sent from the scanner 100 are connected to a line memory group. LSYN inside each position register
A counter for counting C and a comparator for comparing and comparing the output value of the counter with the position data set in the register are built in, and when they match, the start of data acquisition to the corresponding suffix line memory is started. Emit a trigger signal. The triggered line memory stores R, G, and B data for 4752 pixels per scanning line. SCO
Since the N700 can read an arbitrary register at any time, the original R, G, and B data of four scanning lines can be obtained.

(Explanation on Area Specification, Automatic Image Area Recognition, and Selection of Multiple Image Processing) For the image processing circuits 205 to 212, each processing circuit executes a plurality of types of processing in parallel, and only one of the results is Is sent to the processing circuit described above.
Also, it has been described that which one is selected depends on the 8-bit signal input to adec in FIG.

The relationship between the 8-bit signal and the selection will be described again in detail. The point is that conventionally, the operator can specify the image processing content for all pixels in the center of the specified area uniformly, or the image processing content is automatically switched based on the automatic image area recognition result. Was. On the other hand, in the present system, the content of image processing can be determined in a form in which both signals are combined.

1) When the operator performs specific processing on the entire surface of the original image For example, conventionally, if color conversion processing is performed on the entire surface, all the halftone images and characters in the area have been color-converted.
On the other hand, in the present method, a color conversion process is similarly performed on a gradation image portion, but it is also possible to make a copy of a character in which the original color is preserved even in a specified area. .
Specifically, the following may be performed.

First, before starting copying, the coefficient register group shown in FIG.
The value of the normal full-color processing is set to 209-10a, and the value of the color conversion processing is set to the coefficient register group 209-10b by SCON700. Further, in the data of the lookup table 209-30, 0 is set corresponding to the input 1000XXXX, 0 is set corresponding to 0100XXXX, and 1 is set corresponding to 00XXXXXX.

Next, after the copy operation is started, the color correction processing circuit 20
One of the 9 bits C, CC, H, P is 1 and the remaining 3
Data whose bit is 0 is sent. At this time, the coefficient register groups 209-10a and 209-10b are performing the normal processing and the color conversion processing in parallel, and one of the processing results is
In accordance with the 8-bit signal input to the lookup table 209-30, the circuit is dynamically switched to the next circuit 21.
Sent to 0. The data to be sent is the lookup table 2
The value of 09-30 is 1 when it is 00XXXXXX, that is, a part that is neither a black character nor a color character. In this way, a copy in which only the picture portion is color-converted is obtained.

2) When the operator performs a specific process on the specified area of the original image For example, conventionally, if the area is specified by a tablet and the color conversion processing is performed in the specified area, the halftone image and the character in the area are both processed. All had been color converted. On the other hand, in this method, color conversion processing is similarly performed on the gradation image portion,
It is possible to make a copy of a character while maintaining the original color even within the specified area. Specifically, the following may be performed.

First, before starting copying, the coefficient register group shown in FIG.
The value of the normal full-color processing is set to 209-10a, and the value of the color conversion processing is set to the coefficient register group 209-10b by SCON700. Further, the data of the lookup table 209-30 is
0 for input 1000XXXX, 0 for 0100XXXX
Is set to 0 corresponding to 00XX0000, and 1 is set to 00XX0001. Also, the value of the four bits b15-b12 output to the color correction circuit of the area register 224-33a in FIG.
1 is set in the area registers 224-33b.

Next, after the copy operation is started, the SCON 700 continuously sends the area specifying circuit 224 area switching data of 0 for an area where color conversion is not performed and 1 for an area where color conversion is performed for each scanning line. Then, the area designation signal a of the color correction processing circuit 209
3. Of course, 0 is sent to a0 in an area without color conversion, and 1 is sent in a color conversion target area. Independently of this, one of C, CC, H, and P is 1 and the remaining 3
Data whose bit is 0 is sent. At this time, the coefficient register groups 209-10a and 209-10b are performing the normal processing and the color conversion processing in parallel, and it is an 8-bit input to the lookup table 209-30 as to which of the processing results is being processed. Is switched to dynamics in accordance with the signal (1), and is sent to the next stage circuit 210. In the data to be sent, the value of the lookup table 209-30 is 1 when the value is 00XX0001, that is, in the designated area, which is not a black character or a color character. In this way, a copy in which only the picture portion in the designated area is color-converted is obtained.

These are just examples, and various processing can be performed, such as mono-color conversion of designated black characters only, and white extraction (converted to white). The same applies to circuits other than the processing circuit 209.In the processing circuit 205, different magnifications are used for characters and picture portions, and in the image editing circuit 206, only a character is subjected to a tilting process.
A mosaic process is applied to the picture portion. It is obvious that the processing and the halftone image portion can be softened.

<Configuration and operation of console 750> The console panel 750 has a start button 750 (not shown).
It comprises push buttons such as -1, 10-key button and clear button, a dot matrix display 750-10, and a transparent touch switch 750-11 disposed thereon.

<Operation of Information Output Mode> The purpose of this operation is to automatically identify a specific document (referred to as a log card) placed on the platen 1 and print the specific information inside the copier as a visible image. Is to get out.

(Operation Method) First, the operator selects the service mode screen shown in FIG. 23 from the hierarchical display screen of the console. A log card corresponding to desired information is placed on the platen 1.
Next, the user touches the log button and presses the start button to print out various data. Note that lo
When the g button is touched, the color inside is changed so that the operator can recognize that the mode has shifted to the log output mode.

(Specific Example) There are a plurality of types of log cards, one of which is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Reference numeral 982 in FIG. 15 denotes a log card for recording total data for each size and copy color and total number of copies for each copy mode. Here, 982e is a heading of a table item, 982c and 982d are line segments forming a table, and 892b is a blank space on which data is to be printed. 982a is a unique bar code attached to each of multiple log cards, 98
Reference numerals 2f and 982g denote printed patterns for detecting the position and angle of the original document placed on the platen 1. The bar code uses a code 39 system (3 of 9 codes), and is a seven-digit character code including a start character and a stop character.

Fig. 16 shows the tabulation data 699a automatically based on the above manuscript.
Of the original image 699d and the printout result. Here, 699d is printed in black and 699a is printed in cyan. Compare the original in Fig. 15 with the printout in Fig. 16 to see the bar code 982a and pattern in the original image.
982f and g are deleted in the print 699, the other portions are enlarged and copied on the print 699, and a thick square numeral string 699a, which does not exist in the original image, is newly inserted. The numeral string is a result of visualizing the total data 742d into a numeral shape that can be read by a human.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion of another sample of the printout, wherein the image 699d and the generated number sequence 699a of the log card 982 are deviated and rotated by dx ₂ , dy ₂ , dθ from the standard print state. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when printing is performed.

(Software Configuration) FIG. 19 is a data flow diagram showing various kinds of total data and their flow, and a program for handling the data, and FIG. 20 is an overall flow diagram when printing out the total data, and FIG. The figure is a flowchart of the program in SCON700 for printing out the total data.

In FIG. 19, 732p is an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) for controlling the entire apparatus, 731p is an output program for printing out total data and adjustment setting values (this program name is called log), and 730p is This is a control program for performing sequence control and various timing controls of the apparatus.

742d is total data, and the OS program 732p updates and manages data every time a copy or failure occurs. OS732p logs 741d
In the argument passed to the program 731p, a value for designating the category of the processing of the log program 731 is entered. Reference numeral 745d denotes a return value returned by the log program 731p to the OS 732p, and an identification code and an error code of contents requested by the log program 731p to the OS 732p are entered. Reference numeral 744d denotes control data for operation control passed by the log program 731p to the control program 730p. These data reside in battery backed up RAM inside SCON 700. 743d is a log program 731p
The basic data for generating various graphs such as pattern data for character generation, bar graphs, pie graphs, line graphs, etc. are stored in the ROM.For example, character data is in vector format, which is extremely small compared to the bitmap format. It can be output by changing the character shape and size arbitrarily.

(Operation) Referring to FIG. 20, after the operator touches the log button, the operator selects one sheet as shown in FIG. 15 from a plurality of types of total data output manuscripts and places it on the platen 1 of the scanner. Put. This is shown in FIG. Here, Y is the sub-scanning direction, X is the main scanning direction, 1x, 1y, dx ₁ , and dy ₁ are the reference position of the document placement and the position of the placed document 982, and dθ is the placement angle.

When the start button 750-1 is pressed, the OS program 732p in the SCON700 knows at this time that the operation is a log operation in the service mode. Call and execute 731p. The log program 731p needs to be called and executed a plurality of times to print out one piece of total data. The log program 731p performs different processing in a plurality of calls, and details of the processing for each number of calls are shown in FIG.

The log program 731p called for the first time is stored in one of the position registers 222-21a, b, c, and d of the line memory circuit 222,
Bar code 982a and pattern 982f, g from the leading edge of the document
Set the distance data corresponding to the middle of. Finally, a request for the original image scanning operation is returned to the OS program 732p as a return value 745d.

The OS program 732p that received the return value is a scanner
A scan operation command is given to 100, and after the reading operation of one original image is completed, the log program 731p is called again.

Referring to FIG. 21, the log program 731p called for the second time is the line memory circuit 222 that has finished scanning the original.
One of the line memories 222-20a, b, c, and d stores the R, G, and B data of all the pixels of one scanning line at the sub-scanning position. The data is sequentially read in pixel units, the barcode code, the document placement position and the angle are checked, and whether the code is correct or not is determined. This
See Figure 18. Here, S is a scanning line held in the line memory 222. The bar code is composed of seven characters with one character consisting of nine black bars and nine white bars of two different thicknesses, and the code shown in the figure is an example of * 71071 *. To determine the code, first, the run lengths of the nine element bars constituting the character are checked, a specific character is determined from a combination of the run lengths, and this is applied to all the characters. Next, it is checked whether or not the character string matches one of the registration codes in the copying machine. If the code is invalid, return the error code as the return value. An invalid case is a case where none of the registered codes to be output of the total data match.

The OS program 732p that has received the invalid code displays "log card is incorrect" on the console 750 and prompts the operator to perform the operation again. If the orepeta does not have the correct card, the information (total data) 724d inside the copier cannot be obtained.

If it is determined that the pattern code 982a is correct,
The information to be output corresponding to the determined code is determined,
Identify. For example, when the code is * 71071 *, the total number of copies for each size and each color is used.

The position and angle of the log card are specified. Here, referring to FIG. 18, the position of the bar code can be determined from the first character position S1 of the scanning line S of the bar code. The positions of the barcodes are printed in the determined positional relationship with Tables 982c and 98d, and the placement position in the main scanning direction of the table can be specified.

Next examine the intersection S3, S4 of <type pattern 982f and the scan line S, to calculate the distance ay _2. The position of the scanning line S of the data held in the memory 222 is always constant.
If 982 is biased to the right in FIG. 18, ay ₂ will be shorter than the reference length, and if it is biased to the left, it will be longer. In addition, the <type pattern 982f and the pattern 982g parallel to the upper line segment
To measure the length ay ₃ intersecting the scan lines S and the angle is found. In other words, the detection length is longer than the reference length when rotating clockwise, and shorter when rotating counterclockwise.
Here, since the printing of the card 982 generally maintains a certain positional accuracy with respect to the outer periphery, the deviation in Tables 982c and 98d is
Let x ₁ , dy ₁ , dθ.

From the barcode obtained as described above, in this case, a specific color, here a cyan numeric paint pattern 699a, is determined from the copy total data in the information 724d in a predetermined blank box 982b.
It occurs at a considerable position and is temporarily stored in the memory unit 400 (or can be directly printed out). When dx ₁ and dy ₁ are not 0, d from the blank reference position
It occurs with a bias equivalent to x ₁ and dy ₁ . For this, first, a color processing coefficient for painting a numeral string paint of a desired color for forming a numeral string paint pattern 699a shown in FIG. 16 from the total data 724d is set in a coefficient register 209-10a of the circuit 209, and the numeral string Similarly, in order to make the background portion of the image white (blank), the coefficients for white paint are all stored in registers 209-10b.
To load. The area register 224 of the area specifying circuit 224
The values 0 and 1 are loaded in b15-b13 of -33 so that a blank area (colorless paint) and a paint area of a desired color can be selected. In order to appropriately switch between these two areas, it is necessary to provide area switching data for each scanning line after the image processing is started. However, the area switching data for all the scanning lines is calculated in advance by the program 731p. Then, it is prepared as control data 734d.

These area data are corrected in accordance with dx ₁ and dy ₁ . At the end, the log program 731p returns the ID code (identification number) image processing operation request code of the identified log card to the OS program 732p as a return value 745d.

Upon receiving the log card ID number and the image processing request, the OS program 732p first controls the console 750 to display only the data portion corresponding to the ID number in the data 724d, and then calls the control program 730p to An image processing cycle for a page is performed. During this one page image processing operation,
The control program 730p continues to supply the area switching signal to the area specifying circuit 224 based on the control data 744d. Then, regardless of the image data input to the color correction circuit 209, the area of the number string pattern 699a is painted in the color previously set in the color correction circuit 209, and the base of the number is blank. The image data 201 thus processed is stored in the memory unit 400.
Is stored in The MU400 is operated by the command operation of OS732p.
It operates as the storage mode, which is the operation mode of (1). When this process is completed, the OS 732p makes a third call to the log program 731p.

If the angular displacement dθ is not 0, the log program 731p called for the third time performs an affine conversion operation to rotate the digit string pattern stored in the memory unit 400 by dθ. C, M, Y image data reading and original image scanning K
The operation request of the print cycle for obtaining the image data composite copy is returned to the OS732p as a return value. In addition, IP20
0 is the log card bar code 982a, pattern 982f, 982
An erasing parameter such that the g portion is deleted from the copy sheet 699 and a parameter with a magnification of 2 are set.

The OS732p outputs an operation command signal to the scanner 100 and the printer 600 because the return value is a composite copy request of the C, M, Y image data of the memory unit 400 and the K data of the original image. The mode is set to the data read mode. After the start of the operation, the control program 730p is called to form a visible image on the sheet 699 in which the C, M, and Y data in the memory unit 400 and the K data of the document are combined. Note that since the circuit 205 sets the parameters of the double enlargement for the K data, the original K image is enlarged and the MU
The C, M, and Y images in 400 are synthesized as they are.

In the above embodiment, the original reading step, the pattern code recognition, the generation of the C, M, Y color character strings and the step of storing in the memory, the K image by reading the original again and the C, M, Y image in the memory are read out. A minimum of three steps were required for printing out the K image and the C, M, Y images. This means that even if the program execution speed of the SCON 700 is relatively slow, another important point is that the number of parallel processing of the image processing circuit 200, for example, an image exceeding the number of paint colors as described above, is also important. This is to satisfy the requirement that the sheet is formed on one sheet of paper.

If there are no such restrictions or requirements, it can be done simply and quickly. That is, the MU 400 is energized to the first mode (delay operation of each of the C, M, and Y data), and the scanner 100 and the printer 600 are operated. Skyana
100 scans the bar code portion 982a at the leading end of the document, immediately decodes one line of the original image data in the line memory circuit 222, decodes it, determines the total data to be output, and records the total value. The color processing parameters and the area processing parameter setting and the switching data generation processing for the generation of the digit string pattern are completed just before the sub-scanning progresses, and the area switching is performed from the point where the digit string is generated to the end of the original image scanning. You only need to keep giving the signal.

In addition, if the bar code of the log card includes a department code or the like, it becomes easy to output accounting management information for each department. Since the memory capacity of the line memory circuit 222 is equivalent to four scanning lines, it is easy to have several hundred bits of information even if a slight shift when placing the card on the platen 1 is taken into consideration. It would be virtually impossible to forge by trial and error. Making full use of the R, G, B color detection function, and adding color information to the pattern part of the card is even more perfect.

When the code portion of the log card is complicated in this way, the information 742d in the copying machine can be displayed and output on the console 750 or printed out using a different operation method. As described above, the characteristic that a complicated barcode image is hardly present in an ordinary copy target document as described above is used. Then, even if the console screen is not switched to the service screen as described above, first in the general copy mode, first scan the original for reading the original information, perform barcode recognition,
If a log card is not used, a copy image is formed together with the second scan, and when a log card is determined, information corresponding to the ID number included therein may be output. Scanning for reading document information is generally referred to as a press-scan method, and is currently widely practiced for document size detection.

Although the pattern form of the printout has been described as the generation of a numeric pattern, it is important that the form, color, and pattern, such as a graph, be accurate and easily legible to an operator. These various processes can be performed by setting appropriate parameters in the circuits 205 to 212.

Also, an example has been described in which the character string 699a generated to correct the displacement dx ₁ , dy ₁ , dθ of the log card 982 is deviated and rotated, but the position and angle of the generated character string are constant and the copier Of course, 699d may be offset.
At this time, for example, a parameter corresponding to dy ₁ is set in the shift circuit 205 for dy ₁ correction, and the image 892d is shifted in the main scanning direction by dx ₁ in the sub-scanning direction. In the sub-scanning direction, the scanning timing of the scanner 100 and the transfer paper feeding of the printer 600 are performed. Change the transmission timing by dx ₁ equivalent.

In the above embodiment, the copy image 699d is black, and
Although 699a is cyan, other methods may be used. As a first alternative, the image density is changed between two images. This includes the R, G, B gamma correction circuit 208 or C,
If the M, Y, K gamma correction circuit 210 is used, it can be realized very easily. That is, since these gamma correction circuits are of the table lookup type, the table output value of the number pattern area 699a is set to a value corresponding to half the maximum value, for example, for all the inputs in the number sequence generation value. In the meantime, all the background portions of the numbers are set to 0 (white), and when scanning the original, printing is performed with the normal 1: 1 output gamma set. As a result, a copy image portion 699d can obtain a composite image having the same density as that of the original (a considerably high density), and a numeral string 699a having a uniform density of about half the normal density. The second alternative method uses a dither processing circuit 212 and has a procedure similar to that of the first alternative method. For example, the copy image portion 699d is a coarse halftone dot pattern and the digit string portion is a dither pattern such as a Bayer type in which halftone dots are hardly visible. To form

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the color, density, and halftone pattern of the copied image of the original image and the additional image are made different by the control means, and are combined on the recording medium by the image forming means. Since the output information is copied, the output information is easy to read, and even if the chart and the added visible image overlap, both can be read correctly visually.

According to the invention described in claims 4 and 5, the control means includes:
The platen mounting position or the mounting position and angle of the original image is detected based on the image data read by the image reading means, and based on the detection result, the original image is shifted and rotated to form the image. The generation position of the additional information formed based on the data is controlled so as to be deviated and rotated from the reference position. Therefore, even if the original image is placed with a deviation from the reference position, the copied image and the additional image may overlap. In this case, an ideal composite copy pixel can be obtained.

According to the invention described in claim 6, when the operation mode input from the console is the information output mode command, the control means first activates the image reading means to read the original image, and reads the original image. It is determined whether or not a predetermined portion of the image data contains a code that permits information output. Second, if the code is a specific code that allows information output, the image processing means corresponds to a code image. A deletion parameter is set in a portion, a copy parameter is set in the remaining portion, and an additional information image (numerical string) generation parameter based on data in the information memory means is set.
The reading unit, the image processing unit, and the printer unit are operated while being synchronized. That is, the reading means scans the original image and sends the original image signal to the image processing means, and the image processing means sends to the printer an image signal obtained by synthesizing a copy image signal obtained by deleting a substantial part of the original image code pixels and an additional character image signal. Since the printer forms a visible image on a recording medium as one piece of output information based on these image signals, copying of a natural and easy-to-understand output format such as a kanji heading or a chart is performed by a special hardware means. And the copying of the code image portion is avoided, so that it is possible to prevent a tally output image from being handed over to a third party and being used illegally.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a block diagram of a digital color copying machine, FIG. 2 is a system block diagram thereof, FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an image processor, and FIG. 4 is an image processor. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conceptual model common to each processing circuit of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an image area designating circuit, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an area register, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a color correction circuit, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram of the arithmetic circuit, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG.
13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams of the contents of transmission from the image processing circuit to the dither processing circuit, FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a log card,
FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are explanatory diagrams of the result of the combined copying of the log card and the total data, FIG. 18 is a barcode and the document placing position,
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing angles, FIG. 19 is a data flow diagram showing various aggregated data and their flow and a program for handling the data, FIG. 20 is an overall flow diagram when printing out the aggregated data, and FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the program contents of the system controller, FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a line memory card, and FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a service mode screen. 100 image reading means, 200 image processing means, 224
... additional image generation means, 400 ... image memory means, 600 ...
.., Image forming means, 699, recording medium, 700, control means.

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of heading items and a chart corresponding to the plurality of heading items and comprising a line segment in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction for forming a divided space. An information output device of a copier that uses a printed original image and combines the original image with additional image information that fits in a blank space in the original image and copies the combined image onto a recording medium. Image forming means capable of forming a visible image; control means for forming a copy image of the original image in a first recording color and executing control for forming an additional image not present in the original image in a second recording color; An information output device for a copying machine, comprising: 2. A plurality of heading items and a chart corresponding to the plurality of heading items, which is a line segment in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction for forming a divided space. An information output device of a copier that uses a printed original image to combine the original image with additional image information that fits in a blank space in the original image and copies the information onto a recording medium. An image forming means capable of selectively forming an image having an image density; and an image density selecting means for forming a copy image of an original image at a first recording density and forming an additional image not present in the original image at a second recording density. A copier information output device, comprising: control means for performing urging control. 3. A plurality of heading items and a chart corresponding to the plurality of heading items, which is formed by a line segment in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction to form a partitioned space. An information output device of a copier that uses a printed original image to combine the original image with additional image information that fits in a blank space in the original image and copies the information onto a recording medium. An image forming means capable of forming visible images having different halftone dot patterns;
And a control means for executing control for forming an additional image, which is not present in the original image, with the second halftone pattern. 4. A plurality of heading items and a chart corresponding to the plurality of heading items, which is formed by a line segment in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction to form a partitioned space. Using a printed original image, in an information output device of a copying machine that combines the original image with additional image information that fits in a blank space in the original image and copies it on a recording medium, the original image is decomposed into pixels. Image reading means for reading, image forming means for forming a permanent visible image on a recording medium based on a recording pixel signal, additional image generating means for generating an additional image signal in a readable form such as a character or a figure, and the image An original image position detecting program for detecting the position where the chart printed on the original is placed on the platen based on the image data read by the reading means, and an original image copy image based on the detected position information. Copier information output apparatus characterized by comprising a control means including an image position adjustment program for adjusting the position of at least one of the position of the location or the additional image. 5. A plurality of heading items and a chart corresponding to the plurality of heading items, which is a line segment in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction for forming a divided space. Using a printed original image, in an information output device of a copying machine that combines the original image with additional image information that fits in a blank space in the original image and copies it on a recording medium, the original image is decomposed into pixels. Image reading means for reading, image forming means for forming a permanent visible image on a recording medium based on a recording pixel signal, image memory means, and additional image generation for generating an additional image signal in a readable form such as a character or a figure Means and an original image position / angle detection program for detecting the position and angle of a chart printed on a document placed on a platen based on image data read by the image reading means and detection Control means including an image position adjustment program for adjusting the position and angle of at least one of the position of the original image copying machine or the position of the additional image based on the obtained position and angle information. apparatus. 6. A plurality of heading items and a chart corresponding to the plurality of heading items and formed of a line segment in a first direction or a line segment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction to form a separated space. Using a printed original image, an information output device of a copying machine that combines the original image with additional image information that fits in a blank space in the original image and copies it on a recording medium, selectively selects a desired portion of the original image. Image processing means having a partial image erasing function for erasing a character and a character generating function capable of generating an arbitrary character, and selectively energizing and erasing a code image portion in an original image so that a copy image and an original image of the remaining portion can be erased. And a control unit for performing an urging control for forming an additional image that does not exist for the image processing unit.