JP3039660B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an external device and an information processing apparatus connected to a color image forming apparatus for forming a color image.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, color images have been digitally separated from color images and read.
2. Description of the Related Art Digital color copiers that perform desired processing on a read digital image signal and perform color recording based on the image signal have become widespread.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In such digital color copying machines, there are copying machines having a function of processing and editing input color image information.However, in order to perform such processing freely and reliably, for example, observing a monitor screen, for example, It was difficult to rationally achieve the function of cutting out any area in any shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to efficiently specify a region required for an editing process in a system including an external device, an information processing device, and a color image forming device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an external apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected to a color image forming apparatus for forming a color image And input means for inputting command information indicating a designated area from the external device; developing means for analyzing the command information and developing pattern information indicating the designated area in a binary bitmap memory; In order to control image formation in the color image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus further includes a transfer unit that transfers the pattern information developed into the binary bitmap to the color image forming apparatus.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment (1)] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of a color image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. A digital color image reader (hereinafter referred to as a "color reader") 1 for reading a digital color image, a digital color image printing device (hereinafter referred to as a "color printer") 2 for printing and outputting a digital color image, and image storage at the bottom. It comprises a device 3, an SV recording / reproducing device 31, a monitor television 32, and a host computer 33.

The color reader 1 of the present embodiment is an apparatus that reads color image information of a read document for each color and converts the color image information into an electrical digital image signal by using a color separation unit described below and a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD. is there.

The color printer 2 is an electrophotographic laser beam color printer that limits a color image for each color in accordance with a digital image signal to be output, and transfers and records a plurality of times on a recording paper in a digital dot form. .

The image storage device 3 is a device which quantizes a digital image read from the color reader 1 or an analog video signal from the SV recording / reproducing device 31, converts it into a digital image, and stores it.

The SV recording / reproducing device 31 is a device that captures an image with an SV camera, reproduces image information recorded in an SV floppy, and outputs it as an analog video signal. The SV recording / reproducing apparatus 31 can also record an SV floppy by inputting an analog video signal in addition to the above.

The monitor television 32 is a device that displays an image stored in the image storage device 3 and displays the content of an analog video signal output from the SV recording / reproducing device 31.

The host computer 33 has a function of transmitting image information to the image storage device 3 and receiving image information of the color reader 1 and the SV recording / reproducing device stored in the image storage device 3. In addition, it controls the color reader 1 and the color printer 2.

 Hereinafter, details of each part will be described.

<Description of Color Reader 1> First, the configuration of the color reader 1 will be described.

In the color reader 1 shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 999 denotes a document, reference numeral 4 denotes a platen glass on which the document is placed, and reference numeral 5 denotes a full-color full-color sensor for condensing a reflected light image from the document exposed and scanned by a halogen exposure lamp 10. 6 is a rod array lens for inputting an image. An original scanning unit 11 is constituted by integrating a rod array lens 5, a 1: 1 full-color sensor 6, a sensor output signal amplifier circuit 7, and a halogen exposure lamp 10, and scans an original 999 in the direction of the arrow (A1). . Image information to be read of the document 999 is sequentially read line by line by exposing and scanning the document scanning unit 11.
The read color-separated image signal is amplified to a predetermined voltage by a sensor output signal amplification circuit 7, and then input to a video processing unit via a signal line 501, where the signal is processed.
Note that the signal line 501 has a coaxial cable configuration to guarantee faithful transmission of a signal. A signal 502 is a signal line for supplying a drive pulse of the 1 × full color sensor 6.
The necessary drive pulses are all generated in the video processing unit 12. Reference numerals 8 and 9 denote a white plate and a black plate for white level correction and black level correction of an image signal, respectively, by irradiating with a halogen exposure lamp 10, a signal level of a predetermined density can be obtained. Used for white level correction and black level correction.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a control unit which controls the entire color reader 1 of this embodiment having a micro computer, and controls display and key input on the scanning panel 20 via the bus 508, controls the video processing unit 12, and the like. The signal lines 509 and 510 are output by the position sensors S1 and S2.
, The position of the original scanning unit 11 is detected.

Further, a stepping motor drive circuit 15 for pulse driving a stepping motor 14 for moving the scanning body 11 by a signal line 503 is controlled by an exposure lamp driver 21 via a signal line 504 to control ON / OFF of the halogen exposure lamp 10. , And controls all of the color reader unit 1 such as control of the digitizer 16 and the internal keys and the display unit via the signal line 505.

The color image signal read by the above-described exposure scanning unit 11 at the time of document exposure scanning is input to the video processing unit 12 via the sensor output signal amplification circuit 7 and the signal line 501.

Next, the original scanning unit 11 described above with reference to FIG.
The details of the video processing unit 12 will be described.

The color image signal input to the video processing unit 12 is separated into three colors of G (green), B (blue), and R (red) by the sample / hold circuit S / H43. Each of the separated color image signals is subjected to analog processing in an analog color signal processing circuit 44 and then subjected to A / D conversion to become a digital color image signal.

In the present embodiment, the color reading sensor 6 in the original scanning unit 11 is formed in a staggered shape divided into five regions as shown in FIG. This color reading sensor 6 and FIFO
Using the memory 46, 2,4 channels that are pre-scanning,
The remaining 1, 3, and 5 channel reading position deviations are corrected. The corrected signal of the positional shift from the FIFO memory 46 is input to the black correction circuit / white correction circuit, and the white plate 8,
Utilizing a signal corresponding to the light reflected from the black plate 9, unevenness in darkness of the color reading sensor 6, unevenness in the amount of light of the halogen exposure lamp 10, and variation in sensitivity of the sensor are corrected.

Color image data proportional to the amount of light input to the color reading sensor 6 is input to the video interface 101 and connected to the image storage device 3.

The video interface 101 has the functions shown in FIGS. That is, (1) a function of outputting a signal 559 from the black correction / white correction circuit to the image storage device 3 (FIG. 3), and (2) a logarithmic conversion circuit 86 of the image information from the image storage device 3.
(FIG. 4), (3) a function of outputting image information from the printer interface 56 to the image storage device 3 (FIG. 5-A), and (4) a color detection signal 621 in the color conversion circuit. Function to output to image storage device 3 (FIG. 5B), (5) Function to output image information from storage device 3 to printer interface 56 (FIG. 5C), (6) Black correction / white A function of sending a signal 559 from the correction circuit to the logarithmic conversion circuit 86 (FIG. 6). The selection of these six functions is switched as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 by the CPU control line 508 and the BIT signal 108 from the image storage device.

<Description of Image Recording Unit 3> Next, a description will be given of reading (capture) control by the color reader 1 and storage control of the read image information in the image storage device 3 in the present embodiment.

The reading setting by the color reader 1 is performed by a digitizer described below. FIG. 7 shows an external view of the digitizer 16.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 427 denotes an entry key for transferring image data from the color reader 1 to the image storage device 3. The coordinate detection plate 420 is for designating an arbitrary area on a read document or setting a reading magnification and the like. Point pen 421 is used to specify the coordinates.

In order to transfer image data in an arbitrary area on the document to the image storage device 3, after pressing an entry key 427 in FIG.

This reading area information is sent to the video processing unit 12 via the communication line 505 in FIG. In the video processing unit 12, this signal is sent from the video interface 101 to the image storage device 3 via the CPU control line 508.

If the reading position is not indicated by the point pen 421 after pressing the entry key 427 in FIG. 7, the color reader 1 detects the size of the original 999 by pre-scanning, and this information is read in the image reading area. Image storage device 3 via video interface 101 as information
Send to

A process of sending information of the designated area of the original 999 to the image storage device 3 will be described.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the address of the information (points A and B) of the area designated by the point pen 421 of the digitizer 16.

The video interface 101 outputs a VCLK signal, an ITOP 551, an EN signal 104 which is a signal from the area signal generation circuit 51, and the like to the image storage device 3 together with image data in addition to the area information. FIG. 9 shows the timing chart of these output signal lines.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the start button of the operation unit 20 is pressed, the stepping motor 14 is driven, and the original scanning unit 11 starts scanning and reaches the leading end of the original.
The ITOP signal 551 becomes "1", the original scanning unit 11 reaches the area designated by the digitizer 16, and the EN signal 104 becomes "1" while scanning this area. Therefore, the EN signal 104 becomes “1”
, The read color image information (DATA 105, 106, 107) may be captured.

As shown in FIG. 9, the image data transfer from the color reader 1 is performed by controlling the video interface 101 as shown in FIG.
R data 105, in synchronization with the control signal of
The G data 106 and the B data 107 are sent to the image storage device 3 in real time.

Next, how the image storage device 3 stores the image data and the control signal specifically will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B).

The connector 4550 is connected to the video interface 101 of the color reader 1 via a cable,
Data 106 and B data 107 are 9430R, 9430G, 9430B respectively
Is connected to the selector 4250 via the. VCLK sent from the video interface 101, EN signal 104, ITOP551
Directly through system line 42 through signal line 9450
Entered in 10. Before reading the manuscript,
The area information specified by the digitizer 16 is transmitted to the communication line 94.
It is input to the reader controller 4270 through 60, and from here
The data is read by the CPU 4360 via the CPU bus 9610.

After the R data 105, G data 106, and B data 107 input to the selector 4250 via the 9430R, 9430G, and 9430B are selected by the selector 4250, the signal lines 9420R, 9420G,
It is output to 9420B and input to FIFO memories 4050R, 4050G, and 4050B.

 FIG. 11 shows a detailed configuration diagram of the selector 4250.

As shown in the figure, when storing image information from the color reader 1 to the image storage device 3, the control signal SELECT-A 9451A from the system controller 4210 is set to 1, and the SELECT-B 945 is set.
1B is set to 1, SELECT-C 9451C is set to 0, only the tristate buffers 4251E, V, R, G, B are used, and the other tristate buffers 4255E, V, R, G, B and 4256E, V , R, G, B
Is high impedance.

Similarly, among the control signals 9450, the VCLK EN signal is also selected by the SELECT signals 9451A, B, and C. Now, when the image information from the color reader 1 is stored in the image storage device 3,
As shown in FIG. 11, the VCLK and EN signals are
Signal output from the
Only 51E, V is alive, and is input to the system controller 4210 through the signal line of CLKIN9456, ▲ ▼ 9457.

Also, the control signal ▲ ▼ 9455, ▲
9459452 is input directly to the system controller 4210 from the connector 4550.

Further, the selector 4250 has a function of averaging the image information from the color reader 1. The signals 9430R, 9430G, and 9430B input from the color reader are signal lines 9421R and 942.
The data is input to the FIFO memories 4252R, 4252G, and 4252B through 1G and 9421B.

The output from the FIFO memory 4252R, 4252G, 4252B is a signal of one main scanning delay with respect to the image information 9421R, 9421G, 9421B, passes through the signal lines 9422R, 9422G, 9422B and passes through the adder 4253.
Input to R, 4253G, 4253B. Adders 4253R, 4253
G, 4253B has the signal 9421 from the selector 4251R, 4251G, 4251B
R, 9421G, 9421B are input. Adders 4253R, 4253G, 4
253B averages two pixels in the main scanning direction and two pixels in the sub-scanning direction, that is, four pixels, and outputs the result to signal lines 9423R, 9423G, 9423B.

The selectors 4254R, 4254G, 4254B select the image signals 9421R, 9421G, 9421B or the averaged signals 9423R, 9423G, 9423B from the color reader 1, and select the signals 9420R, 9420G, 9
420B is input to the FIFO memories 4050A-R, 4050A-G, and 4050A-B.

The image memory according to the present embodiment is of a slot-in type, and as shown in FIG.
It is composed of five memories C, D and E.

In the following description, only the memory A will be described.

The system controller 4210 includes selectors 4254R, 4254G,
Of the image data 9420R, 9420G, and 9420B from the 4254B, only the effective area of the image is stored in the FIFO memories 4050A-R, 4050A-G, and 4050A.
Transfer to -B. At this time, the system controller 4210 also performs a trimming process and a scaling process at the same time.

Further, the FIFO memories 4050A-R, 4050A-G, and 4050A-B absorb the difference in clock between the color reader 1 and the image storage device 3.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing these processes of the present embodiment, and FIG.
This will be described below with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

That is, from the selectors 4253R, 4253G, and 4253B, the FIFO memory 4
Prior to data transfer to 050A-R, 4050A-G, 4050A-B,
The effective area in the main scanning direction of the area designated by the digitizer 16 is written to the comparators 4232 and 4233 by the CPU bus 9610.

The start address of the area designated by the digitizer 16 in the main scanning direction is set in the comparator 4232, and the stop address is set in the comparator 4233.

The selector 4213 controls the selector 4213 to select and enable the CPU bus 9610 in the sub-scanning direction of the area designated by the digitizer 16, and writes “0” data in the effective area of the area designated by the RAM 4212 and disables it. "1" data is written in the area.

In the scaling process in the main scanning direction, the scaling factor is set to the rate multiplier 4234 via the CPU bus 9610. In addition, scaling processing in the sub-scanning direction is possible by data written to the RAM 4212.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart when a trimming process is performed. As described above, when only the area specified by the digitizer 16 is stored in the memory (trimming processing), the trimming position in the main scanning direction is determined by the comparator 42.
The trimming position in the sub-scanning direction is set to 32 and 4233, and the selector 4213 is set to the CPU bus 9610 side, and the CPU writes the trimming position in the RAM 4212. ((Example) Trimming area main scan 1000 ~ 3047,
Sub-scanning 1000 to 5095) The trimming section signal 9100A in the main scanning direction is
▼ The counter 4230 operates in synchronization with 9452 and CLKIN 9456. When the counter output 9103 becomes 1000, the output of the comparator 4232 becomes 1 and the flip-flop 42
The output Q of 35 becomes 1. Subsequently, the counter output 9103 is 3047
, The output of the comparator 4233 becomes 1 and the output of the flip-flop 4235 changes from 1 to 0. Also, the thirteenth
In the timing chart shown in the figure, the output of the rate multiplier 4234 is 1 because the same-size processing is performed. Addresses 1000 to 3047 of the color image information input to the FIFO memories 4050A-R, G, B by the trimming section signal 9100A
The data is written to the FIFO memories 4050A-R, G, and B.

Also, from the comparator 4231 ▲ ▼ 94
In response to 52, a signal 9101 delayed by one pixel is output. Thus, ▲ ▼ input of the FIFO memory 4050A-R, G, B, ▲
▼ FIFO memory by giving the input a phase difference
4050A-R, G, B Absorbs the difference in synchronization between CLKIN9456 and CLK9453 input to CLK, 9453.

Next, trimming in the sub-scanning direction is performed first by the selector 4213.
Control, select the counter 4214 side to make it valid,
A section signal 9104 synchronized with ▼ 9455 and ▲ ▼ 9452 is output from the RAM4212. The section signal 9104 is synchronized with the signal 9101 by a flip-flop 4211 and input to the reset read of the FIFO memories 4050A-R, G, B. That is, the image information stored in the FIFO memories 4050A-R, G, B
Only when the trimming signal 9170A is "0" is output (n 'to m').

In the above description, only the trimming process has been described, but the scaling process can be performed simultaneously with the trimming. To change the magnification in the main scanning direction, use the rate multiplier 4234 to set the magnification to CP.
Set via U bus 9610. In the sub-scanning, scaling processing can be performed by data to be written to the RAM 4212.

FIG. 14 shows a timing chart when the trimming process and the scaling process (50%) are performed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart when the image data from the selectors 4254R, G, B is scaled and reduced by 50% and transferred to the FIFO memories 4050A-R, G, B.

A set value of 50% reduction is set to the rate multiplier 4234 of FIG. 12 via the CPU bus 9610. At this time, the output of the rate multiplier 9106 has a waveform in which “0” and “1” are repeated for each pixel in the main scanning direction as shown in FIG. An AND signal 9100A of this signal 9106 and the section signal 9105 generated by the comparators 4232 and 4233 is used as a FIFO memory 4050A−
Reduction is performed by controlling write enable to R, G, and B.

In the sub-scan, the write data to the RAM 4212 (read enable signal to the FIFO memories 4050A-R, G, B) is set to "1" (read prohibited) in the image data valid area as shown in FIG. , Only the image data reduced by 50% is sent to the image memories 4060A-R, G, B. In the case of FIG. 14, the read enable signal 9170A is reduced by 50% by alternately repeating "1" and "0" data.

In other words, trimming and scaling in the main scanning direction
Control the write enable of FIFO memory 4050A-R, G, B,
Trimming and scaling in the sub-scanning direction are performed in FIFO memory 40.
50A-R, G, B read enable is controlled.

Next, transfer of image data from the FIFO memories 4050A-R, 4050A-G, and 4050A-B to the memories 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B is performed by the counter 0 (4080-0) and the control line 9170A.

The control line 9170A is a read enable signal for the FIFO memories 4050A-R, G, B, and is also a counter 4080A-0, an enable signal, and a write enable signal for the memories 4060A-R, G, B.

When the control line 9170A is “0”, the FIFO memory 4050A-R, G,
The image data read from B is input to the memories 4060A-R, G, and B through the tri-state buffers 9090A-R, G, and B. At this time, the enable of the counter 4080-0 is also "0", and the signal 9120A-
0 is output from the counter 4080A-0, passed through the selector 4070A, and input to the ADR9110A of the memories 4060A-R, G, B.

At this time, the write enable ▲ ▼ of the memories 4060A-R, G, B is also "0", so that the image data 9090A-R, G, B inputted to the memories 4060A-R, G, B are stored. You.

Since the memory capacity in this embodiment is 1 Mbyte for each color, 50% of the image data in the reading area in FIG.
As a result, the read image data is converted into data having the maximum capacity of the memory of the image storage device 3 and stored.

Further, in the above embodiment, the CPU 4360 calculates an effective area from the information of the area specified by the digitizer 16 of the A3 document, and compares the effective area with the comparators 4231 to 4233 and the rate multiplier 42.
Set the data corresponding to 34 and RAM4212.

In the present embodiment, since the data capacity of the read image is larger than the provided image memory capacity, a reduction process is performed, the data is converted into a storable capacity, and then stored in the image memory. However, when the data capacity of the read image is smaller than the provided image memory capacity, a plurality of screens can be stored in the image memory at the same time by setting the CLR signal 9171 in FIG. 15 to "1". In this case, writing of the area designated by the digitizer 16 to the memory is controlled. Comparator 423
The trimming information data is set for 2,4233, and the same size is set for the rate multiplier 4234. In the data written to the RAM 4212, the image effective area is all set to “0”, and the other data is set to “1”, and is set to the same magnification.

Further, in order to store the read image in the memory while keeping the aspect ratio (vertical / horizontal ratio), the CPU 4360 first obtains the number of effective pixels “x” from the area information sent from the digitizer 16. Next, z is obtained from the maximum capacity “y” of the image storage memory by the following equation.

As a result, (1) When z ≧ 100, the setting of the rate multiplier 4234 is such that all the effective image areas are set to “0” in the 100% RAM 4212 and stored at the same magnification.

(2) When z <100, the setting of the rate multiplier 4234 and the RAM 4212 are both reduced by z%, and stored in the maximum capacity of the memory while maintaining the aspect ratio.

Also in this case, the data to be written to the RAM4212 is
Data "1" and "0" may be written in a timely manner corresponding to the reduction rate "z".

By controlling in this way, it is possible to easily perform any scaling process while maintaining the aspect ratio of the input image by controlling only the inside of the image storage device 3, and it is possible to effectively recognize the read image. Become. At the same time, the utilization efficiency of the memory capacity can be maximized.

<Description of Memory E> The memory E in FIG. 10A will be described.

FIG. 10 (D-1) shows a schematic diagram of its internal configuration. The memory E is a binary image memory (hereinafter referred to as a bit map memory), and its operation is similar to that of the memory A described in the previous section. The image data read from the color reader 1 is written into the FIFO 4050E-R in the same manner as in the operation of the memory A described in the previous section. At this time, in the embodiment, only the R signal is used as an image signal, but any other signal may be used as long as it is represented by a luminance signal. The image data written in the FIFO 4050E-R is read out by the control signal 9170E in the same manner as described in the previous section,
Are binarized by the binarization circuit shown in FIG. At this time, black is “1” and white is “0”. Also,
The binary threshold in the binarization circuit 4055E-R is the CPU
It can be set arbitrarily by bus. Using this bit map memory, it is possible to generate a non-rectangular area signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (D-2), a black heart-shaped document D21 is prepared on a white background, and an area is designated as shown by a dotted line in the figure. By reading this area into a bit map memory in which an appropriate threshold has been set in advance, 0 and 1 as shown in the figure are stored in the bit map memory.
Are stored. By sequentially reading this data as shown by the arrows, a non-rectangular area signal as shown in the figure below is obtained. As will be described later, non-rectangular image synthesis can be performed using this non-rectangular area signal. The video interface 101 also receives a detection signal 621 of a color detection circuit in the color conversion circuit 50. By developing this detection signal in a bit map memory, not only a black-and-white image but also an area of a specific color area can be obtained. A signal can also be generated.

<Explanation of the interface of the SV recording / reproducing machine>
It is also possible to store the video image from 31 in the image storage device 3 and output it to the monitor television 32 or the color printer 2. The image processing device 3 also handles the input image.

In the following, a description will be given of how a video image from the SV recording / reproducing device 31 is loaded into the image storage device 3.

First, the control of taking in a video image from the SV recording / reproducing apparatus 31 into the image storage device 3 will be described below with reference to the block diagram of the image storage device 3 in FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B).

The video image from the SV recording / reproducing device 31 is input in the form of an NTSC composite signal 9000 via an analog interface 4500, and the decoder 4000 outputs four signals of a separate R, G, B signal and a composite SYNC signal 9015R. , G,
Separated into B and S.

Also, the decoder 4000 has an analog interface 4510
Is decoded together with the Y (luminance) / C (chroma) signal 9010. 9020R, 9020G to selector 4010,
The signals 9020B and 9020S are input signals in the form of separate R, G and B signals and a composite SYNC signal. A switch 4530 is for controlling a selector 4010 for selecting and switching one of the signals 9030R-S and 9015R-S. Signal 9030 when switch 4530 is open
Select RS and select signals 9015RS when closed.

The 9050R, 9050G, and 9050B signals as the separate R, G, and B signals selected by the selector 4010 are subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D converters 4020R, 4020G, and 4020B.

In addition, the selected composite SYNC signal 9050S
/ HV separation circuit 4030, and the TBC / HV separation circuit 4030 converts the composite SYNC signal 9050S to the clock signal 906.
0C, a horizontal synchronization signal 9060H and a vertical synchronization signal 9060V are generated. These synchronization signals are sent to the system controller 42
Supplied to 10.

TVCLK9 output from the TBC / HV separation circuit 4030 of the present embodiment
060C signal is 12.25MHz clock signal, ▲
▼ 9060H signal is a signal with a pulse width of 63.5 μS, ▲
The 9060V signal has a pulse width of 16.7 ms.

FIFO memory 4050A-R, 4050A-G, 4050A-B
▼ Reset by the 9060H signal, and from the address “0”, the data 9060A-R, 906 are synchronized with the TVCLK9060C signal.
Write 0A-G, 9060A-B. This FIFO memory 4050A-R, 40
Writing of 50A-G and 4050A-B is performed by the system controller.
This is performed when the ▲ ▼ signal 9100A output from the 4210 is energized.

This FIFO memory 4050A- by this ▲ ▼ signal 9100A-
The details of the write control of R, 4050A-G, and 4050A-B will be described below.

The SV recording / reproducing apparatus 31 in the present embodiment conforms to the NTSC standard. Therefore, when the video image from the SV recording / reproducing apparatus 31 is digitized, the screen capacity is 640 pixels (H) × 480 pixels (V). Therefore, first, the CPU 4360 of the image storage device 3 writes the set value to the comparators 4232 and 4233 so as to have 640 pixels in the main scanning direction. Next, the input of the selector 4213 is connected to the CPU bus 9610.
, And “0” for 480 pixels in the sub-scanning direction is written in the RAM 4213.

Also, 100% data is set in the rate multiplier 4234 for setting the magnification in the main scanning direction.

When storing the image information of the SV recording / reproducing apparatus 31 in the memories 4060R, G, and B, the system controller 4210 includes a TBC / HV separation circuit.
▲ ▼ 9060V output from 4030, ▲
▼ 9060H and TVCLK9060C are shown in FIG. 12.
Connected to ▼ 9455, ▲ ▼ 9452, CLKIN9456.

As described above, by setting the image control signal to the interface of the SV recording / reproducing apparatus, the A / D converters 4020R and 402
Output signals from 0G, 4020R, G, B 9420R, 9420G, 9420B
The data for one main scan of the video image is stored in the FIFO memory 4050
A-R, 4050A-G, and 4050A-B are stored at the same magnification.

On the other hand, the input SV video image is reduced
When the data is stored in AR, 4050A-G, and 4050A-B, the reduction rate is set in the rate multiplier 4234, and the data in the RAM 4212 in the image effective area is set to "1" according to the reduction rate. , Can be reduced.

FIFO4050A-R, 4050A-G, 4050A-B to 4060A-R, 4060
The data transfer to A-G and 4060A-B is the same as the above-described data write control from color reader 1 to 4060A-R, 4060A-G, and 4060A-B.

Further, the SV recording / reproducing apparatus 31 of the present embodiment is of the NTSC standard, and the aspect ratio of the digital image in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction has been described as an example of 4: 3. In contrast to the expected 16: 9 aspect ratio of the HDTV standard, the comparators 4232 and 4233 and the RAM4212 in FIG.
It can be handled by rewriting the contents of

<Read processing from image storage device> Next, the memory 4060A-
A process of reading image data from R, 4060A-G, and 4060A-B will be described.

The instruction input when the image output from the memory is formed by the color printer 2 is mainly performed by the digitizer 6 shown in FIG.

A key 428 in FIG. 7 is an entry key for forming image data from the 4060A-R, 4060A-G, and 4060A-B by the color printer 2 according to the size of the recording paper. A key 429 is an entry key for forming an image at a position specified by the coordinate detection plate 420 of the digitizer 16 and the point pen 421.

First, an embodiment in which an image is formed in accordance with the size of a recording sheet, and then, an embodiment in which an image is formed in an area designated by a digitizer will be described.

<Image Forming Process Corresponding to the Size of Recording Paper> In this embodiment, the color printer 2 has two cassette trays 735 and 736 as shown in FIG. 1, and two types of recording paper are set. In this case, A4 size recording paper is set in the upper part, and A3 size recording paper is set in the lower part. The selection of the recording paper is input by the liquid crystal touch panel of the scanning unit 20. The following description is for the case where a plurality of images are formed on A4 size recording paper.

First, prior to image formation, by inputting read image data from the color reader 1 to the image recording device 3 described above,
Image memories 4060A-R, 4060A to be described later from the color reader 1.
For example, as shown in FIG. 16, a total of 16 image data of "image 0" to "image 15" are stored in -G, 4060A-B.

Next, the entry key 428 of the digitizer 16 is pressed. As a result, a CPU (not shown) detects this key input and automatically sets an image forming position on A4 size recording paper.
In the case of forming 16 images shown in FIG. 16, for example, the image forming position is set as shown in FIG.

The details of the above image forming processing in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 10 and the timing chart shown in FIG.

An ITOP signal 511 sent from the color printer 2 shown in FIG. 2 to the color reader 1 via the printer interface 56 is input to the video interface 101 in the video processing unit 12 and from there to the image storage device 3. Sent. The image storage device 3 starts the image forming process in response to the ITOP signal 551. Each image sent to the image storage device 3 is stored in the image storage device 3 as shown in FIGS.
The image is formed under the control of the system controller 4210 shown in FIG.

In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the counter 0 (4080A
The output of (−0) is selected by the selector 4070A, and the memories 4060A-R, 4060A-G, 406 are selected by the memory address line 9110A.
0A-B is accessed for reading. With this access, the image data stored in each of the memories 4060A-R, 4060A-G, and 4060A-B is read, and the read image signals 9160A-R, 9160A-G, and 9160A-B from each memory are stored in a lookup table ( LUT) 4110A-R, 4110A-G, 4110A-B,
Here, logarithmic conversion is performed to match the relative luminous efficiency characteristics of the human eye. Conversion data 9200A-R, 92 from each LUT
00A-G and 9200A-B are masking / black extraction / UCR circuit 4120
Entered into A. The masking / black extraction / UCR circuit 4120A performs color correction of the color image signal of the image storage device 3, and performs UCR / black extraction when recording black.

And these continuous masking /
The image signal 9210A from the black extraction / UCR circuit 4120A is
The image data is separated for each image by 4130, and each FIFO memory 4140-
0 to 3 are input. Until now, each image arranged sequentially can be processed in parallel by the operation of the FIFOs 4140-0 to 3140-3.

The read image signals 9160A-R, 9160A-
G, 9160A-B and parallel output image information 9260-0 from each FIFO
The relationship with (1) to (3) is shown in the upper part of FIG. As shown in the figure, 9260 corresponding to the read image information of the “0” line of “Image 0” to “Image 3” necessary for forming an image of one line in the main scanning direction.
−0 to 3 are all in a state where parallel processing is possible.

These parallel image signals 9260-0 to 9260-3 are input to the next enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-0 to 4150-3. The enlargement and interpolation circuits 4150-0 to 4150-3 are
17 is controlled so that the layout of each image shown in FIG.
Enlargement and interpolation are performed like signals 9300-0 to 9300-3 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a primary interpolation method is used.

The interpolated signals 9300-0 to 9300-3 are input to the selector 4190, and the image data processed so far in parallel is converted into a serial image data signal again. Image signal 9330 converted into serial image data by selector 4190 is subjected to edge enhancement and smoothing (smoothing) processing by edge filter circuit 4180. And LUT420
It passes through 0 and is input to the selector 4250.

The signal input to the selector 4250 passes through the tri-state gates 4256R, G, B and 4255R, G, B and passes through the signal line 94.
Output to connector 4550 via 30R, G, B.

Similarly, output from the system controller 4210
▼ 9454, CLK9453E tri-state gate 4256
It passes through EV and 4255E.V and is output to connector 4550 via signal line 9450.

At this time, the control lines SELECT-A9451A, SELECT-B9451B, SELECT for controlling the tri-state gate shown in FIG.
The CT-C9451C sets “0”, “0”, “1”.

Hereinafter, when the formation of all the image data of “image 0” to “image 3” is completed, next, “image 4” to “image 7”, “image 8” to “image 11”, and “image 12” to “image 12” Images are sequentially formed in the order of “Image 15”, and “Image 0” to “Image 15” shown in FIG.
Are formed.

<Image Formation by Arbitrary Position Layout> In the above description, as shown in FIG. 17, an image is automatically developed so that it can be formed, and control for forming an image is described. However, the present embodiment is limited to the above example. Instead, an arbitrary image can be developed at an arbitrary position to form an image.

Hereinafter, as an example of this case, “image 0” to “image 0” shown in FIG.
The case where “Image 3” is developed as shown in the figure to form an image will be described.

First, by the same control as the image input control to the memory described above, the four pieces of image information read from the color reader 1 are stored in the image memories 4060A-R, 4060A-G, and 4060A-B.
Then, as shown in FIG. Next, when the entry key 429 of the digitizer 16 is pressed, the digitizer 16 waits for an input of a designated position where the read image is to be formed.

Then, the user operates the point pen 421 to designate and input a desired development position from the coordinate detection plate 420. For example, the deployment area
20 Specify and enter as shown in Figure.

The image forming process in this case will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIGS. 10 (A) and (B) and the timing charts shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart at the time of image formation on the "l ₁ " line shown in FIG. 20, and FIG. 22 is a timing chart at the time of image formation on the "l ₂ " line in FIG.

The ITOP signal 551 is output from the printer 2 in the same manner as described above, and the system controller 4210 starts operating in synchronization with this signal.

In the image layout shown in FIG. 20, “image 3” is obtained by rotating the image from the color reader 1 by 90 degrees.

This image rotation processing is performed in the following procedure. First,
4060A-R, 4060A-G, 4060A-B by DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) 4380 in FIG.
Image to the work memory 4390. Next, CPU436
After performing a known image rotation process in the work memory 4390 by 0, the DMAC 4380 outputs the work image from the work memory 4390.
Transfer the image to 4060A-R, 4060A-G, 4060A-B,
Image rotation processing is performed.

The position information of each image laid out by the digitizer 16 and instructed and input is stored in the video processing unit 12 shown in FIG.
Is sent to the image storage device 3 via. System controller 4210 that has received the development position information for each image
Generates operation permission signals 9320-0 to 9320-3 for the enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-0 to 3150 corresponding to each image.

In the layout at an arbitrary position in the present embodiment, for example, the counter 0 (4080A-0) is in the image 0, the counter 1 (4080A-1) is in the image 1, and the counter 2 (4080A).
-2) is image 2 and counter 3 (4080A-3) is image 3
It operates according to each.

Control at the time of image formation on the “l ₁ ” line shown in FIG. 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

"Image 0" is read from the image memories 4060A-R, 4060A-G, and 4060A-B by the counter 0 (4080A-0) from the address "0" to the address "0.5M"("Image0" shown in FIG. 19). ) Is stored. This counter 4080A-0 to 3
Is switched by the selector 4070A.

Similarly, the reading of “image 1” is performed by the counter 1 (4080A
According to -1), addresses from "0.5M" to "1M" (the storage area of "image 1" shown in FIG. 19) are read. The timing of this reading is shown as 9160A-R, G, B in FIG.

Here, the counter 4080A-2 and the counter 4080A-
No. 3 does not operate according to the counter enable signals 9130A-2 and 9130A-3 from the system controller 4210.

The data of “Image 0” and “Image 1” are stored in the LUT4110A-
Masking via R, 4110A-G, 4110A-B / Black extraction / UCR
The signal is sent to the circuit 4120A, where it becomes a color signal 9210A in a frame sequence. The frame-sequential color signal 9210A is parallelized by the selector 4130, divided for each pixel, and stored in the FIFO memory 4140-0,
4140-1. And the system controller 42
When the operation permission signals 9320-0 and 9320-1 from 10 to the enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-0 and 4150-1 are enabled, the enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-0 and 4150-1 output the FIFO read signals 9280-0, 9280
-1 is enabled, and read control is started.

The FIFO memory 4140-0,4140-1 outputs the signal 9280-0,92
At 80-1, transfer of image data to the enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-0 and 4150-1 is started. Then, the enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-0 and 4150-1 perform layout and interpolation calculations according to the area designated by the digitizer 16 previously. This timing is shown in FIG. 21 at 9300-0,9300-1.

The “image 0” and “image 1” data on which the layout and the interpolation have been performed are selected by the selector 4190,
The signal passes through the edge filter circuit 4180 and is input to the LUT 4200. Subsequent processes up to the connector 4550 are the same as those described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the timing of the “l ₂ ” line shown in FIG. 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

Expanded from image memory 4060A-R, 4060A-G, 4060A-B
The processing up to the interpolation circuits 4150-1 and 4150-2 is substantially the same as described above.

However, since “image 1” and “image 2” are output on the “l ₂ ” line, the counter 1 (4080A−
1) and counter 2 (4080A-2), FIFO4140A-1,4140A
-2, the enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-1 and 4150-2 operate. These controls are performed according to control signals from the system controller 4210.

As shown in FIG. 20, on the “l ₂ ” line, “image 1” and “image 2” overlap. In this overlapped portion, either one of the images or both of the images can be selected by a control signal 9340 from the system controller 4210.

 The specific control is the same as in the case described above.

The signal from the connector 4550 is connected to the color reader 1 by a cable. Therefore, the color reader 1
The video interface 101 selects and outputs the image signal 105 from the image storage device 3 to the printer interface 56 through the signal line path shown in FIG.

<Non-Rectangular Image Synthesis Using Bit Map Memory> Next, a non-rectangular image synthesizing process using the bit map memory will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 20-B, a case will be described where the output area with the image 0 is formed in a heart shape, and the output area is synthesized with the original.

As described above, first, a heart-shaped binary image is developed in the bit map memory in consideration of the size of the area of the image 0 to be output. Next, in the same manner as in the previous section, the user specifies and inputs a development area of the image using a digitizer. At this time, only the selection button for the non-rectangular area for image 0 is selected from the operation unit.
At this time, the position information and the processing information of each designated image are sent to the image storage device 3 via the video processing unit 12 in FIG. The system controller 4210 that has received the development position information for each image generates an operation signal corresponding to each image, as in the previous section. At this time, an operation signal 9320-E corresponding to the image 0 is also generated in the bit map memory, and the connector 4550 is generated together with the image read from each memory.
Through to the video interface 101. At this time, the video interface 101 selects the flow of each image with respect to the position information of each of the specified images and the area of the image 0 by using the bit signal 108 from the bit map memory to perform image synthesis. . For example, to explain the area of image 0, when the bit signal is "1", the video interface 101 is switched as shown in FIG. 5C, while when the bit signal is "0", the video interface becomes as shown in FIG. Heart-shaped cutout synthesis is enabled by the signal of the map memory.

The details of the process of transferring the image information from the image recording device 3 to the color printer 2 in the image formation in the above-described embodiment will be described below with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

As described above, when the start button of the operation unit 20 is pressed, the printer 2 starts operating and starts transporting the recording paper. When the recording paper reaches the tip of the image forming section,
The signal 551 is output. The ITOP signal 551 is sent to the image recording device 3 via the color reader 1. Image storage device 3
Are the respective image memories 4060A-R, 406 under the set conditions.
After reading out the image data stored in 0A-G and 4060A-B and performing the above-described processing such as layout, enlargement and interpolation, the processed image data is sent to the video processing unit 12 of the color reader 1. The video interface 101 of the video processing unit 12 determines the type of data (R,
Video interface 1 according to (G, B) / (M, C, Y, BK)
Change the processing method in 01.

In the present embodiment, since M, C, Y, and BK are output in a plane sequence,
The above operation is repeated four times in the order of M, C, Y, and BK, and an image is formed.

<Printer Unit> The structure of the color printer 2 for printing out the image signal processed by the video processing unit 12 as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

In the configuration of the printer 2 in FIG. 1, reference numeral 711 denotes a scanner, which is a laser output unit that converts an image signal from the color reader 1 into an optical signal, a polygon mirror 712 of a polyhedron (for example, octahedron), and rotates the polygon mirror 712. And an f / θ lens (imaging lens) 713 and the like. Reference numeral 714 denotes a reflection mirror that changes the optical path of the laser beam from the scanner 711 indicated by a one-dot chain line in the figure, and 715 denotes a photosensitive drum.

The laser light emitted from the laser output unit is reflected by the polygon mirror 712, and the f / θ lens 713 and the reflection mirror 714
Scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 715 linearly (raster scan) to form a latent image corresponding to the original image.

Also, 717 is a primary charger, 718 is an overall exposure lamp, 723
Is a cleaner section for collecting the residual toner not transferred,
724 is a pre-transfer charger, and these members are the photosensitive drum 7
It is located around 15. Reference numeral 726 denotes a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 715 by laser exposure, and includes 731Y (for yellow) and 731M.
(For magenta), 731C (for cyan), 731Bk (for black) are development sleeves that directly contact the photosensitive drum 715 to perform development, 730Y, 730M, 730C, and 730Bk are toner hoppers that hold spare toner, and 732 is development It is a script that performs the phase of the agent. The sleeves 731Y to 731Bk, the toner hoppers 730Y to 730Bk, and the screw 732 constitute a developing unit 726, and these members are composed of the developing unit 726.
Around the rotation axis P.

For example, when forming a yellow toner image, yellow toner development is performed at the position shown in FIG. To form a magenta toner image, the developing unit 726 is rotated about the axis P in the figure, and a developing sleeve 731M in the magenta developing device is disposed at a position in contact with the photoconductor 715. Similarly, development of cyan and black is performed by rotating the developing unit 726 about the axis P in the drawing.

Reference numeral 716 denotes a transfer drum that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 715 to paper, and 719 denotes a transfer drum 716.
Actuator plate for detecting the moving position of
Is a position sensor that detects that the transfer drum 716 has moved to the home position by approaching the actuator plate 719, 725 is a transfer drum cleaner, 7
27 is a paper pressing roller, 728 is a static eliminator, 729 is a transfer charger, and these members 719, 720, 725, 727, 729 are transfer rollers 716.
It is arranged around.

On the other hand, 735 and 736 are paper cassettes for collecting paper (sheets), 737 and 738 are cassettes, paper feed rollers for feeding paper from 735 and 736, and 739, 740 and 741 are timing rollers for timing of paper feeding and conveyance. The paper fed and conveyed via these is guided by a paper guide 749 and wrapped around the transfer drum 716 while the leading end thereof is carried by a gripper described later, and proceeds to an image forming process.

Reference numeral 550 denotes a drum rotation motor, and the photosensitive drum 715
And the transfer drum 716 is rotated synchronously. 750 is a peeling claw that removes the paper from the transfer drum 716 after the image forming process is completed.
Reference numeral 42 denotes a transport belt for transporting the removed paper, and reference numeral 743 denotes an image fixing unit for fixing the paper transported by the transport belt 742. In the image fixing unit 743, a motor 747 attached to the motor mounting unit 748 is used. The torque of the transmission gear
The image is transmitted to a pair of thermal pressure rollers 744 and 745 via 746, and fixes an image on a sheet conveyed between the thermal pressure rollers 744 and 745.

The printout process of the printer 2 having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

First, when the first ITO 551 comes, a Y latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 715 by the laser beam, and this is a developing unit 7.
The image is developed by 31Y, then transferred to a sheet on a transfer drum, and magenta print processing is performed. And
The developing unit 726 rotates around the axis P in the figure.

When the next ITOP 551 arrives, an M latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by the laser beam, and cyan print processing is performed by the same operation. This operation is similarly performed for C and BK corresponding to the following ITOP 551, and yellow print processing and black print processing are performed. In this way, when the image forming process is completed, the sheet is peeled by the peeling claw 750, the image is fixed by the image fixing unit 743, and the printing of a series of color images is completed.

<Description of Control Computer> FIG. 24 shows the configuration of the host computer 33 for creating a mask image.

As shown in FIG. 24, the central control is constituted by a data bus, various controllers, and a memory around a CPU 405.

As a display unit, there is a display 412 and a display memory 411 showing the contents thereof, and a display controller for controlling the display 412 performs various displays. The display resolution is lower than the print output resolution.

The operation unit includes a keyboard 441, a mouse 431, and its controller.

There is also an image editing controller that performs image editing such as various types of drawing on the image memory 463 and the display 411.

It has a hard disk 451 as a storage medium, and a GP-IB interface controller 420 as an interface with the image storage device 3.

<Description of Computer Interface> The system of this embodiment has a host computer 33 and is connected to the image storage device 3 as shown in FIGS. Referring to FIG. 10, the host computer
Explain the interface with 33.

The interface with the host computer 33 is performed by a GPIB controller 4310 connected by a connector 4580. The GPIB controller is connected to the C bus via CPU bus 9610.
It is connected to PU4360 and exchanges commands with the host computer 33 according to the determined protocol,
Transfer of image data is possible.

<Description of Monitor TV Interface> The system of this embodiment can output the contents of the image memory in the image storage device to the monitor TV 32 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to output a video image from the SV recording / reproducing device 31.

 This will be described in detail below.

The video image data stored in the image memories 4060A-R, 4060A-G, and 4060A-B are read by the DMAC 4380, transferred to the display memories 4410R, 4410G, and 4410B and stored. Display memory 4410R, 4410G, 4410
The video image data stored in B is LUT4420R, 4420G, 44
The signal is sent to the D / A converters 4430R, 4430G, and 4430B via the 20B, where the analog R signal 4590R and the G signal 4590 are synchronized with the SYNC signal 4590S from the display controller 4440.
G and B signals are converted to 4590B and output.

On the other hand, from the display controller 4440, the SYNC signal 9600 is synchronized with the output timing of these analog signals.
Is output. This analog R signal 4590R and G signal 4590
By connecting the G and B signals 4590B and the SYNC signal 4590S to the monitor 4, the contents stored in the image storage device 3 can be displayed.

In the present embodiment, the displayed image can be trimmed by sending a control command from the host computer 33 to the image storage device 3.

The CPU 4360 controls the display memories 4410R, 4410G, and 4410B from the image memories 4060A-R, 4040 based on the area information instructed and input by the host computer 33, in the same control as described above.
Trimming is possible by transferring only the effective area to 60A-G and 4060A-B.

In response to the area instruction information from the host computer 33, the comparators 4232 and 4233 and the RAM 4212 shown in FIG.
The data is set in the same manner as described above, and the image data is input again from the color reader 1 or the SV recording / reproducing device 31 to convert the trimmed image data into 4060A-R, 460A.
060A-G and 4060A-B.

Reference numeral 4400 denotes a volume for adjusting the color tone of the color image displayed on the monitor television 32. CPU436
A value of 0 reads the low resistance value (set value) of the volume 4400, and sets the output adjustment correction data in the tables of the LUTs 4420R, 4420G, and 4420B from the set value. Also, when recording by the color printer 2, the adjustment correction data in the table of the LUT 4200 is changed in conjunction with the set value of the volume 4400 in order to match the display color of the monitor 4 with the recording color.

In the present embodiment, the color reader 1, the color printer 2, the image storage device 3, and the computer 33 are used as the basic components. Can be cut out in any form and printed out.

The procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

S100: The computer 33 sends a command to press-scan the document image on the document table 4 to the image storage device 3 through the GP-IB interfaces 420 and 4310.

S102: The CPU 4360 of the image storage device 3 decodes the pre-scan command, instructs the reader controller 4270 to read the color images R, G, B, and stores the image on the document table in the memory of the image storage device 3. A 4060A-R, 4060A-G, 4060A
Transfer to -B and end reading. Reading from the color reader is the same as in the above-described embodiment.

S104: 4060A-G among the read RGB color images
Is transferred to the computer 33 through the GP-IB interface 4310, 420, and the G (green) image data is stored in the image memory 463 which is a part of the main memory 461 in the computer. I do.

S106: Computer 33 display controller 410
Writes G (green) data into each of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) in the display memory for the G (green) only image.

S108: Since a G (green) color image is output as RGB, a gray scale (black and white gradation) display is performed. (By reading the entire color image as a monochrome image in this way, it is possible to reduce the transfer time of the image and use it to grasp the image of the entire image.) Next, the monochrome image displayed on the computer 33 is displayed. Using the mouse 431, an area (mask area) where the image is to be cut is designated for the original image. At this time, a menu for selecting a pattern to be cut out (mask pattern) is displayed on the display, and the menu is selected by the mouse 431 or the keyboard 441 (S116). The processing (S112) according to the menu is shown in FIGS. 26 (A) to (E). As an example, if you specify a circle to explain, first,
The CPU 405 obtains the position information on the display by pressing the button of the mouse 431 at the center point of the image to be cut out, and then sets the button of the mouse 431 at the position of the radius from the specified center point. According to this procedure, information on the coordinates of the center point and its radius is obtained, the coordinates on the display are converted into the coordinate system of the output sheet, and the converted mask coordinate data is stored in the memory area of the mask coordinate information in the main memory 461. 462 is stored (S114).

The mask coordinate information has a different format of the coordinate information depending on the mask pattern. As shown in FIG. 27, the mask coordinate information is composed of a header representing a pattern type and data representing coordinates or length.

Further, the designated mask figure is drawn on the display memory 411 by using the image editing controller 406, so that the area of the mask is covered with a mesh so as to be distinguished from other unmasked areas.

The specification of the mask range by the mouse is repeated for a necessary area (S116).

S118: After specifying all areas, the CPU 405 stores the mask coordinate information 462 in the main memory 461 in the GPIB interfaces 420 and 4310.
And sends it to the image storage device 3.

S120, S122: The mask coordinate information captured by the image storage device 3 is temporarily recorded in the whirl memory 4390, and
The respective pattern images, which have been decoded by the above and are distinguished by the header, are developed into a binary bit map memory of the memory E (4060E-R).

At this time, in the synthesis with the color image, the dot which outputs the color image with priority is "1", and the dot where the output is not performed is set to "0".

The CPU 4360 performs the processing on all of the mask coordinate information.

When these mask patterns have been created, the memory E (4060E-R) completes a mask pattern similar to the mask created by the computer 33 and converted to the output resolution. Then, the completion of the mask pattern is transmitted to the computer 33.

S124: Upon receiving the transmission of the completion, the computer 33 transmits a print command to the image storage device 3 through the interface.

Such transmission may be automatically performed in response to the above-mentioned completion, or may be performed by a user operation on the computer side.

S126: The system controller 4210 in the image storage device 3 generates an operation signal so that the color reader 1 starts reading the original image on the original platen,
The (4060E-R) bit map memory also generates an operation signal (9320-E) corresponding to the created mask pattern, and outputs the video interface 10 through the connector 4550.
Sent to one. At this time, the video interface 101
The flow of the color image from the color reader 1 is selected based on the bit signal 108 from the bit map memory, and the image is synthesized.

If the bit signal of the mask pattern of the bit map memory is "1", the video interface 101 switches as shown in FIG. 6, while if the bit signal is "0", it changes as shown in FIG. In the case of a circular mask, for example, according to the signal of the bitmap memory mask pattern,
The reader-read image in that range becomes valid and is printed out.

The control of the recording information to the color printer 2 at this time is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and the description is omitted.

According to the above-described embodiment, the computer 33 checks the screen obtained by pre-scanning the document on the monitor, and stores the area information indicating the necessary area so that only the necessary area is scanned. And the document is again scanned, and an image can be formed only in a necessary portion.

Embodiment 2 As shown in FIG. 28, the image development of the mask pattern for the color image can be performed using the image memory of the computer 33 without performing the image storage device 3 side.

In this case, unlike the first embodiment, the data from the computer 33 to the image storage device 3 is changed from code data having a small amount of data to bit map data having a large amount of data. In addition, a hardware configuration dedicated to image development can be removed from the image storage device.

 The procedure will be described below.

If the computer 33 can secure a binary bit map memory that can support the output resolution of the color printer 2, the image memory in the computer 33 is allocated to it.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the same operation is performed on the monochrome original image displayed on the display 412, and the mask pattern is subjected to the coordinate conversion on the display at the resolution of the output paper, and the designation is performed. The mask pattern is converted into a bit map memory in the image memory 463 in the computer 33 using the coordinate values after the conversion, and the binary image is developed using the image editing controller 406.

The image data of the mask pattern created in this manner is transmitted to the image storage device 3 via the GP-IB interface controller 420.

The mask image data captured by the image storage device 3 is
The data is directly transferred to the binary bit map memory of the memory E (4060E-R) and set.

When the mask pattern image is created in this way, the bit signal of the mask pattern is used as a color image valid / invalid switching signal from the reader 1 as described above in the first embodiment. By computer
It is possible to print out the cutout image according to the mask pattern created on 33 above.

The control of the recording information to the color printer 2 at this time is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Embodiment 3 Next, as shown in FIG. 29, a mask pattern for a color image is
An example of pre-holding in 3 will be described. In this embodiment, since the data held in the computer 33 is vector data, if arbitrary vector data is created on the computer instead of a fixed form, the image storage device 3 can execute
Unlike the case of developing an image for a fixed mask pattern, an image of an arbitrary mask pattern can be developed on the computer 33 side without registering each pattern in the image storage device 3 in advance.

 The procedure is described below.

In the computer 33, the drawing data for the mask is
It is held in the mask vector information 464 as vector data. This mask pattern is arbitrarily created and registered by an operator, or set in advance as mask vector data.

As shown in P of FIG. 30, the vector data is composed of a type number indicating the type of vector coordinates and its coordinate value (x, y), with one coordinate serving as a basic block.

As an example, a case where a Bezail curve is used for expressing a curve of a vector will be described. Such a case is shown in FIG.
Vector types include start (end) points,
It is expressed by four types: a straight point that draws a straight line, a curve point that indicates the start of a Bezier curve, and a control point that is a Bezier curve after the curve point.
In the case of a Bezier curve, two control points follow the carp point, the third curve point is set, and (curve) + (control 1) +
(Control 2) + (Curve) is data expressing one Bezier curve in one set.

As a procedure, as shown in FIGS. 31A to 31E, an operator inputs a monochrome original image displayed on the display 412 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Use the mouse to specify the area where the mask is to be fitted.

 This will be described with reference to FIG.

The mask pattern is not a fixed pattern but a mask using vector data expressed by a free curve.

When a rectangular area specified by the upper left and lower right mask ranges is set (S200), the name of the mask for that area is displayed (S202), and then a mesh is drawn in that area (S204). To confirm the area and the type of the selected mask pattern.

The coordinate data of the position and size of the mask is coordinate-converted so as to match the output resolution (S206). Further, the vector information 464 of the specified mask pattern is selected from the mask vector information.
Is set (S207), and the vector coordinate values are converted to match the output resolution in the same manner as described above (S208).

The process of converting the created vector coordinates, the position and size data into the format shown in FIG. 30 is repeated for the required area (S210).

The mask vector data thus created is
The data is sent to the image storage device 3 via the GPIB interface 420 and stored in the work memory 4390. Such a procedure will be described with reference to FIG.

Vector data V sent via GPIB420
From the header information section VH (shown in FIG. 30V), the upper left coordinate value is set as an offset value of each vector data (S30).
2). (Offx, offy) Also, the total number of points of the vector from the header information section (n)
(S304). Counter (i) is set to 1 (S306)
First, in (S308), the first coordinate of the vector information is
Set to x, x ', y, y' (get start point).

The variables x and y indicate the current coordinate values, and the edits x 'and y' indicate the immediately preceding coordinate values.

First, it is checked whether the current counter (i) is equal to the total number of points (n) (S310).

Next, the counter (i) is advanced by one (S312), and the coordinate value is set to variables x and y (S314). At that time, the type of the coordinate value is checked. If the type is a straight line type (S318),
A straight line is drawn in the memory E with the coordinate value obtained by adding the offset value from the variable (x ', y') to (x, y) (FIG. 32 (E)
X)).

When the type is a curve point (S320), the current coordinate (counter (i)) and the coordinates up to three coordinates (counter (i + 3)) are treated as points of a Bezier curve, and the four coordinates (at this time, control 2 points
A Bezier curve is drawn in the memory E using a dot. Then, the counter is advanced by three to set i = i + 3, and the coordinate values advanced by three are set to the variables x 'and y' (the flow indicated by Z in FIG. 32 (E)).

If the start point also serves as a curve point, a control point appears at the time of vector type check. At that time, the previous coordinate is set as a curve point, and the same processing as the above-described curve point is performed. A Bezier curve is drawn on E (blowing indicated by Y in FIG. 32 (E)).

When the start point and the current coordinate value match (S332) or when the counter (i) of the total number of points matches (S312), the drawing of the vector information ends, and the flow moves to the outline based on the outline. Next, a filling process is performed (S340), and a mask pattern specified in the memory E can be created.

The CPU 4360 analyzes the mask vector data sent as described above, and develops an image in the memory E (4060E-R).

In this manner, the mask pattern of an arbitrary shape is subjected to vector raster conversion from the vector data, and is stored in the memory E (40).
60E-R), as described in the first embodiment, the bit signal of the mask pattern is used as a signal for switching the validity / invalidity of the color image of the reader (1), and the image is formed into an arbitrary shape by a vector. It is possible to cut out and print out.

The control of the recording information to the color printer 2 at this time is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and the description is omitted.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an input device for inputting image information, an image forming device for receiving the input image information and forming an image on an image-type medium, a storage device for storing the input image, and A control device for controlling
Input image information includes means for creating cutout information for cutting out image information in a plurality of arbitrary areas and arbitrary shapes, and means for cutting out an input image according to the cutout information for the cutout. For the manuscript,
It is possible to cut out an image in any area and shape.

In the above embodiments, when the target image is converted into an image signal and supplied to the monitor, only the G component is transmitted to the host computer side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and R, G,
For example, the B component may be thinned out and transmitted.

Further, as a method of setting a predetermined process at the time of image formation on an image on a monitor, a trimming area at the time of image formation is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and performs other types of image processing. I can do it. For example, processing such as color conversion and texture processing can be set.

In the present embodiment, the conversion unit is operated again to reproduce the target image, and the reader 1 is operated by pointing from the host computer.

Further, in the present embodiment, a so-called flat type sensor using a color line sensor as a means for photoelectrically converting the target image is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a spot type sensor may be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

In this embodiment, a color printer that forms a full-color image by so-called frame sequential image formation is used as a means for image formation. However, such a color printer is a printer other than a frame sequential printer, such as an ink jet printer. It may be a thermal transfer type printer or a printer called Cycolor.

Further, in this embodiment, the host computer, the image storage device, and the color reader communicate with each other as independent devices to realize the various functions described above, so that a novel system can be provided.

<Effects of the Invention> According to the present invention, in a system including an external device, an information processing device, and a color image forming device, it is possible to efficiently specify an area required for editing processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of one embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a color reader 1 of this embodiment, and FIGS. 3 to 6 are video interfaces of the color reader 1 of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of switching control of the face part, FIG. 7 is an external view of the digitizer of the present embodiment, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating address information specified by the digitizer of the present embodiment, FIG. 10A and 10B are timing charts of output from the interface unit to the image storage device according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 10A and 10B are detailed block diagrams of the image storage device according to the present embodiment. (D-1) is FIG. 10 (A)
FIG. 10 (D-2) is a diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. 10 (D-1), and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the memories A and E, respectively. FIG. 12 is a detailed diagram of the selector unit, FIG. 12 is a detailed diagram of the system controller unit and the FIFO memory of the image storage device of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a timing chart at the time of data storage, FIG. 14 is a timing chart at the time of data storage in the FIFO memory of the system controller unit at the time of scaling processing of the present embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a system controller unit of the image storage device of the present embodiment. And FIG. 16 is a detailed view of the configuration related to the image memory, FIG. 16 is an arrangement diagram of image information in the image memory of the image storage device of the present embodiment, FIG. 17 is an image forming layout diagram of the present embodiment, and FIG.
17 is a timing chart of an image forming process according to the image forming layout of FIG. 17, FIG. 19 is a layout diagram of image information in a memory of another image storage device of this embodiment, and FIGS. 20 (A) and (B) are FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state in which the image information shown in the figure is arbitrarily laid out. FIG. 21 is a timing chart at the time of image formation on the “l ₁ ” line shown in FIG. 20 (A). FIG. 23 is a timing chart at the time of image formation in the "l ₂ " line in FIG. 23, FIG. 23 is a timing chart of the image forming process of this embodiment, FIG. 24 is a block diagram of the configuration of a computer in this embodiment, and FIG. FIGS. 26 (A) to 26 (E) are flow charts showing the procedures in the first embodiment, and FIGS. 27 (A) to (E) are flow charts showing the mask coordinate information in the first embodiment. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a format, and FIG. FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vector information type computer of the third embodiment, FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the format of the vector information of the third embodiment, FIG. 31 (A) to FIG. (E) is a flowchart showing the procedure of Example 3. In the figure, 1 ... color reader, 1A ... video equipment, 2 ... color printer, 3 ... image storage device, 31 ... SV recording / reproducing machine, 32 ... monitor television, 33 ... host computer, 11 ... Document scanning unit, 12 Video processing unit, 3 Controller unit, 16 Digitizer, 20 Scanning unit, 4050, 4140, 4252 FIFO memory, 56 Printer interface, 101 Video Interface, 420 ... Coordinate detection board, 421 ... Point pen, 4000 ... Decoder, 4010,4070,4130,4190,4213,4250,4253 ... Selector, 4020,4430 ... A / D converter, 4060A …… Image memory, 4080,4214,4230 …… Counter, 4110,4200,4220 …… LUT, 4120 …… Masking / black extraction / UCR circuit, 4150 …… Enlargement / interpolation circuit, 4210 …… System controller, 4212, 4270 …… Reader controller, 4360 …… CPU, 4380 …… DMAC, 4400 ... Boriyumu, 4410 ...... Deisupurei memory, a 4440 ...... Deisupurei controller.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus connected to an external device and a color image forming apparatus for forming a color image, comprising: input means for inputting command information indicating a designated area from the external device; Developing means for analyzing the pattern information indicating the designated area in a binary bitmap memory; and a pattern developed in the binary bitmap to control image formation in the color image forming apparatus. A transfer unit for transferring information to the color image forming apparatus.