JP3382254B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, for example, an image processing apparatus for inputting and processing a plurality of images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an image of a document larger than the maximum image size that can be read by a reading device is read and recorded, an operator reads the document several times and records each recorded image on a recording medium such as recording paper. , And a plurality of recording media on which images are recorded are connected to each other.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since one image is output by being divided into a plurality of recording media, it is necessary for the operator to join the images on the recording media. . In addition, there is a drawback that a joint shift occurs between images because a person joins them together, and as a result, an unsightly image is reproduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional example, and its object is to provide a plurality of objects .
As one image that can be handled by the image forming device
In addition to being able to output, downsizing of the device and cost
To provide an image processing device that can reduce
It

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the original
This is for reading the manuscript image and is a one-time reading operation.
Large-sized original images that cannot be read with
Retrievable reading means and an image read by the reading means
Storage means for storing an image;
Feature extraction means for extracting the features of the image from the outline of the image,
Based on the features extracted by the feature extracting means,
Judgment of overlapping parts of multiple images stored in memory
Based on the judgment result by the judgment means and the judgment means
A combining means for combining the plurality of images, and the combining hand.
Form an image on a sheet by combining the images that are connected by a step
Output means for outputting to the image forming apparatus,
Prior to the image storage process by the means,
A reduction means that performs reduction processing for each image that is read as
Further, the combining means has a plurality of times by the reading means.
It is read separately and reduced by the reducing means.
The plurality of reduced images stored in the storage unit are used as the determination hand.
Combined based on the judgment result by the step, the large size original
The feature is that an image corresponding to the draft image is generated. This
Here, the storage means, the feature extraction means, the determination hand
The connecting means in the order of images input from the reading means.
Process on the premise that it is connected to the preceding and following images
Is preferred. Further, another image processing apparatus according to the present invention is
This is a process for reading the original image.
A large-sized original image that cannot be read
Readable reading means and the reading means
Storage means for storing the image, and the storage means stored in the storage means
Pattern matching for pattern matching of multiple images
Patterning means and the pattern matching means
Stored in the storage means based on the result of the matching.
Determining means for determining an overlapping portion of the plurality of images,
Based on the judgment result by the judgment means, the plurality of images
And a binding means for binding the
Output the image to the image forming device that forms the image on the sheet
And an output unit for performing image recording by the storage unit.
Prior to memory processing, each image read in multiple times
The combination further includes reduction means for performing reduction processing for each image.
The means is read in a plurality of times by the reading means,
Reduced by the reducing means and stored in the storage means
The plurality of reduced images are used as the judgment result by the judgment means.
Images based on the original image of the large size.
It is characterized by generating an image.

Further, the image processing method according to the present invention is
This is a process for reading images, and it is possible to perform the reading operation once.
Scan large unreadable image of original document in multiple times
The possible reading steps and the reading step
The storing step of storing the captured image and the reading step.
Feature extraction to extract the features of the image read by the contour of the image.
And the features extracted in the feature extraction step.
Based on the characteristics,
A determination step of determining an overlapping portion of images, and the determination
Based on the judgment result in the step, the plurality of images
And a combining step for combining
Image forming apparatus for forming a formed image on a sheet
An output step of outputting to
Prior to the image storage process in
Reduction step for performing reduction processing for each image that is read
Further comprising: in the combining step, the reading step
Are read in multiple times at and reduced in the reduction step.
The plurality of reductions stored in the storing step.
Image based on the judgment result in the judgment step
Combine and generate an image equivalent to the large document image
It is characterized by doing. In addition, other image processing according to the present invention
The processing method is to read the original image.
Multiple large-sized original images that cannot be read by scanning once
The reading step that can be read in divided times and the reading step
A storage step of storing the image read by
The pattern map of the multiple images stored in the storage step
Pattern matching step for performing
The result of pattern matching by the chain matching step
On the basis of the result, the plurality of stored
A determination step of determining an overlapping portion of images, and the determination
Based on the judgment result in the step, the plurality of images
And a combining step for combining
The combined image is formed by an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet.
And an output step of outputting to the storage unit.
Prior to image storage processing in
Reduction step for performing reduction processing for each image that is read as
And further comprising a read step in the combining step.
Read in multiple times in the
The plurality of compressions reduced and stored in the storing step.
A small image based on the judgment result in the judgment step
And combine them to generate an image equivalent to the large-sized original image.
It is characterized by performing.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the block shown in FIG. 1, a document is read using a CCD or an A / D converter, the obtained digitized image data is stored in an image memory, the image is processed, and output to various printers to obtain an image. It is applied to electronic equipment such as an image copying apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a scanner for reading a document image and inputting digitalized image data,
Reference numeral 2 denotes a pre-processing unit that performs black level correction and white level correction, and performs a series of processing such as density data conversion by logarithmic conversion.
Is an image memory for temporarily storing the image data processed by the pre-processing unit 2, 4 is a post-processing unit for performing image processing such as area designation, enlargement, reduction, and density adjustment on the image data sent from the image memory 3. Is a printer for printing an image based on the image data processed by the post-processing unit 4 on a recording medium such as recording paper, 6
Is a feature extraction unit that performs edge processing on the image data as a feature to extract edges, 7 is a feature memory that stores the feature data extracted by the feature extraction unit 6, 8 is a feature comparison unit that compares a plurality of feature data, and 9 is a feature An address designating unit for designating an address of the image memory 3 based on the result obtained by the comparing unit 8, 1
Reference numeral 0 indicates a CPU that controls the entire apparatus by a program, 11 indicates a ROM that stores programs according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6, and 12 indicates a RAM that is used as a work area for various programs.

The electronic device having the above-described structure is particularly applicable even when the document size exceeds the image size that can be read by the scanner 1, and its operation will be described below.

2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining an image processing step according to the first embodiment, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are flow charts for explaining one image processing procedure according to the image processing of the first embodiment. Is. The flow charts in FIGS. 5 and 6 are
The CPU 10 controls the whole, and each processing is performed by each unit.

Actually, when the image size (I) of the original document that exceeds the maximum size (S) that can be read at one time by the scanner 1 is read and printed out, the number of times the operator performs the operation on the apparatus (scanner 1 (N) occurs once (N> I ÷ S), where the set of the original document and the reading start instruction of the scanner 1 are combined once. In the following description, the case where N is fixed at 2 is shown.

First, a part of an image in one document (hereinafter referred to as "first image") is read by the scanner 1 by the first operation of the operator and converted into digital data (first image data). (Step S1). The digitized first image data is subjected to black level correction and white level correction, and a series of processing including density data conversion and logarithmic conversion is performed by the preprocessing unit 2 (step S2). The preprocessed first image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 3 (step S3). Thereafter, based on the first image data in the image memory 3, the feature extracting unit 106 generates the first feature data in a format easy to compare (step S4), and the first feature data is stored in the feature memory 7 ( Step S
5).

Here, in order to process the second image of the unread portion from the same document, the position of the document set in the scanner 1 is moved (shifted) so that the second image is the same as the first image. Perform processing. That is, the digitized second image data is output from the scanner 1 and stored in the image memory 3 via the preprocessing unit 2. Then, the feature extraction unit 106 generates the second feature data from the second image data in the image memory 3 (step S6).

Next, the feature comparison unit 108 finds a matching point of the image according to the first and second feature data stored in the feature memory 7, and outputs the obtained result to the address designating unit 109 (step). S7, step S8, step S9). However, if no matching point is obtained, the processing ends as an error. As a matter of course, the second image may be read again without ending the processing as an error, and the error determination may be performed based on the number of times of reading again.

The address instructing unit 109, as an image in which the first and second image data in the image memory 3 are connected together, outputs the address of the connecting portion for sending to the next post-processing unit 104 as an image. It is a processing unit that gives instructions to the memory 3. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first image stored in the image memory 3 is (x0, y
0), (x0, y1), (x1, y0), (x1, y1)
), The second image is (x0 ', y0'),
4 of (x0 ', y1'), (x1 ', y0'), (x1 ', y1')
Let's take the coordinates of the points. In the second image, the coordinates (xa ', y0'), (x
From the line of a ', y1'), (x1 ', y0'), (x1 ', y
The image up to the line 1 ') is set as the effective second image.
This effective second image has coordinates (x0 ', y0'), (x0 ', y1'), (x1 ', y0'), for stitching.
From 4 points of (x1 ', y1'), (x1, y0), (x1, y
1), (x1 + x1'-xa ', y0), (x1 + x1'-x
It is instructed to change to 4 points, a ', y1). As a result, the first image as shown in FIG. 2A and the second image as shown in FIG.
The stitched image as shown in FIG.
The image is formed on the image memory 3 according to the instruction (step S10).

As described above, the image data joined to one surface is designated by the post-processing unit 104, the area is enlarged,
Image processing such as reduction and density adjustment is output to the printer 105 and printed (step S11, step S1).
2).

Here, the process from the feature extraction to the image joining will be described in detail. For feature extraction,
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the image data (a) in the image memory 3 is binarized (b), and the image (c) edge-extracted by the differential processing is used as the characteristic data.

Next, regarding the feature comparison, since it takes time to perform the comparison over the entire image, it is performed in a short time as follows. First, assuming that the range that the scanner 1 can actually read is the broken line portion of FIG. 4A, the first characteristic data is as shown in FIG. 4B. The second characteristic data is shown in FIG.
However, in the feature comparison unit 8, as shown in (d) of FIG. 4, the second feature data is a predetermined short distance from the frame edge where the data exists at the frame edge of the image reading range. The characteristic data within the range (second characteristic data for comparison) is extracted and compared. In the feature comparison unit 8, the comparison second feature data (see FIG. 4) is applied to the frame edge where the data exists at the frame edge of the image reading range in the first feature data, that is, the lower part of the broken line in FIG. 4B. 4 (d)) and the pattern matching method were compared, and the first
The coordinates on the characteristic data are sent to the address designating section 9. When the address designating section 9 sends the image data in the image memory 3 to the post-processing section 4 for image processing, the read address is (x0, y0), ... In the case of (a) and (b) of FIG.
(X0, y1), ..., (x1, y0), ..., (x1, y)
1), (xa ', y0'), ..., (xa ', y1'), ... (x
1 ', y0'), ... (X1 ', y1') are sent in this order, so that the images can be handled as one surface image joined together.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, an image read in a plurality of times can be handled as a large image on one surface.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the figure, the processing units having the same configurations and functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 21 denotes an operation unit having keys and a display unit for inputting various commands, data input, etc., and 26 denotes a feature extraction unit 6, a feature memory 7, and a feature configured in the first embodiment. A CPU that controls the comparison unit 8 and the address designating unit 9 by software and controls the entire apparatus is shown. Reference numeral 29 indicates an I / O between the CPU 26 and the operation unit 21, 27 indicates a ROM storing a program for operating the CPU 26, and 2
8 is a RAM used as a work area for various programs
Is shown.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

Similar to the first embodiment, the CCD sensor and A
The scanner 1 using the / D converter or the like inputs the digitized image data to the preprocessing unit 2. Here, the image data that has undergone black correction, white correction, and logarithmic conversion is stored in the image memory 3. Here, the CPU 26 binarizes the image data in the image memory 3 and stores the differentiated characteristic data in a certain area of the RAM 28. After repeating the above-mentioned processing a plurality of times, the CPU 26 compares the characteristic data on the RAM 28 by the pattern matching method, and based on the coordinates of the RAM 28 where it is considered that they are coincident with each other, the CPU 26 forms a connected image on one surface. The image is output to the post-processing unit 4 that performs image processing. Thus, even if the processing from the feature extraction to the connection is performed by the CPU 26, the ROM 27, and the RAM 28, the same effect as in the previous embodiment can be obtained.

<Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the post-processing section 4 has the area designation, enlargement and reduction functions of the image data, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The pre-processing unit 2 may have the above functions. Therefore, the reduction function will be described as an example. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the image processing process according to the second embodiment.

By the first image input by the scanner 1, the image data (first image) shown in FIG. 8A is input, and the preprocessing unit 2 performs black correction, white correction, logarithmic conversion, and reduction. Image memory 3 in the form shown in FIG.
Memorized in. In the second reading of the second image, as shown in FIG.
Similarly, as shown in (c), the image data is stored in the image memory 3 in the form shown on the right side of (d) of FIG. Therefore, the same feature extraction as in the second embodiment,
Grab the matching points in the image by the comparison method,
The PU 26 outputs the image data shown in (e) of FIG. 8 to the post-processing unit 4.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the effect that the size of the image memory 3 can be improved if the size of the image can be output by the printer 5.

In the first to third embodiments, the procedure for joining two images of the first image and the second image to obtain an image on one surface has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, an operation unit is provided, the number of times of image input of the scan scanner 1 is set from there, feature data is generated from each image data from the set number of image data, and a plurality of images are connected. Is also good. When three or more images are stitched together, the efficiency of the process can be improved by connecting the images in the order of image input.

Further, in the above embodiment, RGB
An example of color reproduction processing when luminance data is input has been shown, but other color format data formats such as L *, a *, and b
Even if *, L *, u *, v *, YIQ, etc. are input,
The method of color reproduction processing is only changed, and the application range does not depart from the gist of the present invention.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, only the color printing of characters is shown, but the present invention can be similarly applied to the color printing of figures and raster images.

Further, the output printer may be a color laser beam printer, a color dot printer, a color ink jet printer, a color thermal transfer printer, a bubble jet printer, or the like.

Needless to say, the printer is not limited to a binary output printer, and may be a multi-value output printer.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device, or may supply a program to the system or the device. It goes without saying that it can also be applied when it is achieved.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The multiple images that are read in multiple times are displayed on the image forming device.
Output as one image that can be handled by
Be stored and stored as a single image
Since the amount of image data can be reduced,
It is possible to reduce the size and cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image processing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an image processing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image processing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing procedure according to the image processing of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing procedure according to the image processing of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an image processing process according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Scyana 2 Pretreatment section 3 image memory 4 Post-processing section 5 printers 6 Feature extraction unit 7 feature memory 8 Feature comparison section 9 Address indicator 10,26 CPU 11,27 ROM 12,28 RAM

Continued front page       (56) References JP-A-2-236688 (JP, A)                 JP 63-49885 (JP, A)                 JP-A-1-283675 (JP, A)                 JP 64-82277 (JP, A)                 JP-A-60-55474 (JP, A)                 JP 62-160580 (JP, A)

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A document image reading process, comprising:
A large-sized original image that cannot be read in a single reading operation
A reading unit that can be read in several times, and a storage unit that stores the image read by the reading unit.
And the characteristics of the image read by the reading means are the contours of the image.
Based on the features extracted by the feature extraction means and the features extracted by the feature extraction means.
Judgment of overlapping parts of multiple images stored in memory
Determining means and a plurality of images based on the determination result by the determining means.
A combining means for combining the images and the image combined by the combining means are imaged on a sheet.
Has an output means for outputting to an image forming apparatus that forms, prior to storage processing of an image by the storage means, said plurality
Reduction that performs reduction processing for each image that is read in batches
Small means is further provided, and the combining means is read by the reading means in plural times.
And is reduced by the reduction means and recorded in the storage means.
The plurality of reduced images stored are judged by the judgment means.
Combined based on the determined result, and combined with the large-sized original image.
An image processing device characterized by generating a corresponding image. 2. The storage means, the feature extraction means, the format
The input means from the reading means
The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing device is processed on the assumption that the images are connected in order . 3. A document image reading process, comprising:
A large-sized original image that cannot be read in a single reading operation
A reading unit that can be read in several times, and a storage unit that stores the image read by the reading unit.
And pattern matching of a plurality of images stored in the storage means
A pattern Matching means for performing ring, pattern matching by said pattern matching means
Based on the result of the
Based on the determination means for determining the overlapping portion of the images and the determination result by the determination means, the plurality of images
A combining means for combining the images and the image combined by the combining means are imaged on a sheet.
Has an output means for outputting to an image forming apparatus that forms, prior to storage processing of an image by the storage means, said plurality
Reduction that performs reduction processing for each image that is read in batches
Small means is further provided, and the combining means is read by the reading means in plural times.
And is reduced by the reduction means and recorded in the storage means.
The plurality of reduced images stored are judged by the judgment means.
Combined based on the determined result, and combined with the large-sized original image.
An image processing device characterized by generating a corresponding image. 4. A document image reading process, comprising:
A large-sized original image that cannot be read in a single reading operation
A reading step in which the reading can be performed several times and a memory switch for storing the image read in the reading step.
The step and the characteristics of the image read in the reading step are displayed on the image loop.
Based on the features extracted in the feature extraction step and the feature extraction step,
Overlapping part of a plurality of images stored in the storing step
Minute based on the determination result of the determination step and the determination step of the determination step.
The combining step of combining several images and the images combined in the combining step are printed on a sheet.
It has an output step of outputting to an image forming apparatus for forming an image, and prior to the storage processing of the image in the storing step, before
Reducing processing for each image that is read in multiple times
The method further includes a reduction step to be performed, and the combining step is performed a plurality of times in the reading step.
It is read separately and reduced in the reduction step described above.
The plurality of reduced images stored in the memory step,
Combined based on the judgment result in the judgment step,
It is special to generate an image that corresponds to a large size original image.
Image processing method to be considered. 5. A document image reading process, comprising:
A large-sized original image that cannot be read in a single reading operation
A reading step in which the reading can be performed several times and a memory switch for storing the image read in the reading step.
Step and the pattern of the plurality of images stored in the storing step
Pattern matching step for matching and pattern matching by the pattern matching step
Stored in the storing step based on the result of
Based on the determination result of the determination step and the determination step of determining the overlapping portion of the plurality of images.
The combining step of combining a number of images and the images combined by the combining step are placed on a sheet.
Output step of outputting to an image forming apparatus that forms an image
If has, prior to the process of storing the image in the storing step, before
Reducing processing for each image that is read in multiple times
The method further includes a reduction step to be performed, and the combining step is performed a plurality of times in the reading step.
It is read separately and reduced in the reduction step described above.
The plurality of reduced images stored in the memory step,
Combined based on the judgment result in the judgment step,
It is special to generate an image that corresponds to a large size original image.
Image processing method to be considered.