JP3437283B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - 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 and an image processing method for optically reading a document image, subjecting the read image signal to predetermined image processing and outputting the image to a recording material.
It is about law .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image of an original is read using an image sensor, digitally processed, accumulated and stored in a storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk, and a search is performed based on index information from the accumulated data, and a display such as a liquid crystal display. Displayed on
2. Description of the Related Art There has been proposed an image processing device as an output device such as a printer, particularly an image processing device that simultaneously processes the front and back surfaces of a document.

In this type of image processing apparatus, the one in which only one side of a document is read and handled is the mainstream. In this case, in order to handle a two-sided document having an effective image on the front and back sides of the document,
Turn over the original when reading the original beforehand. 2
I had to go through the paper and register.

On the other hand, in recent years, a double-sided image processing apparatus has been proposed in which two image sensors are provided in the reading unit and the front and back surfaces of a document are simultaneously read, processed, and stored at high speed, and due to their convenience, they are gradually becoming the mainstream. .

As described above, by using this type of double-sided image processing apparatus, the operability at the time of inputting a document has been remarkably improved, but on the other hand, a new problem has occurred.

[0006]

That is, this is a case in which a double-sided original having valid image information on both the front and back sides of the original and a single-sided original having one side of the original being blank are mixed and handled.

The above-mentioned double-sided image processing apparatus is naturally provided with means for selecting whether the original document to be read is a single-sided original document or a double-sided original document. Selecting is not a very effective means because it impairs the operability. Rather, in such a case, in this type of image processing apparatus, it is customary to perform the encoding compression processing before the image data is stored and stored, and the encoding efficiency is remarkably good for a blank original. , The amount of data after compression processing is very small (1/50 or less of the amount of original image data), and the capacity of the storage medium is not wasted too much. A realistic method is to read all originals including originals.

In this case, a problem arises when the image information once stored and stored is searched and finally outputted by the printer device. That is, there is a problem that an unnecessary blank image included in the previously read image information group is printed out as it is and wasted print paper is consumed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. In the first to ninth inventions of the present invention, a blank page registered in a storage medium is automatically detected by reading an original sheet. Te excluded from the image output target, etc., of the operator
Documents whose pages are recognized as blank pages according to the instruction input
Image information is displayed on the display and the original image displayed on the display is displayed.
Documents that the operator has determined to be valid images from the image information
Re-register image information and record re-registered document image information
By outputting the medium, the processing of unnecessary blank sheet reliably limits, together with the effective image information in the loaded original sheets can be efficiently processed, blank incorrectly pages
The original image information automatically recognized as
It can be re-registered as an image and printed.
An object is to provide an image processing device and an image processing method capable of improving reliability .

[0010]

First invention of the present invention SUMMARY OF] includes an image reading means for reading an image of an original sheet conveyed to an optical document image of the document sheet read from said image reading means registration means for registering information on a storage medium in units of pages, and search means for displaying on the display unit to search the desired document image information registered in the storage medium by said registration means, is registered in the storage medium In an image processing apparatus having image output means for outputting document image information to a recording medium, when outputting a series of document image information searched by the searching means from the image output means, manuscript images of successive pages calculating means for calculating an effective amount of image information against the information, a series of searched said search means on the basis of the effective amount of image information of each page calculated by the calculating means Recognizing means for recognizing a blank page from manuscript image data, and the effective image skip sequentially reading the original image information of a page is recognized blank page by the recognizing means from the series in the original image information retrieved by the retrieving means and outputs the original image data to the image output unit comprising
According to the first image output control means and the operator's instruction input
The original of the page recognized as a blank page by the recognition means.
Blank page display means for displaying the manuscript image information on the display section,
From the document image information displayed on the display section, the operator can
Re-register the original image information that was determined to be a more effective image.
Registration means and manuscript image re-registered by the re-registration means
A second image output system for outputting image information to the image output means.
And means are provided.

A second invention according to the present invention is a raw material to be conveyed.
Image reading means for optically reading the image on the draft sheet,
The original of the original sheet read by the image reading means
Registration means for registering image information page by page in a storage medium
And the desired information registered in the storage medium by the registration means.
Retrieval Method for Retrieving Document Image Information of Other and Displaying on Display
And the document image information registered in the storage medium is recorded on the recording medium.
In an image processing apparatus having image output means for outputting to
A series of document image information retrieved by the retrieval means
When outputting from the image output means,
Calculator for calculating the amount of effective image information for original image information
And the effective image of each page calculated by the calculating means.
A series of documents searched by the search means based on the amount of image information
A recognition unit that recognizes a blank page from image information, and
From the series of manuscript image information searched by the searching means,
Original image of a page recognized as a blank page by the recognition means
The original image information that becomes an effective image by sequentially skipping the images
Image output control means for outputting to the image output means,
Valid in a series of document image information output from the image output means
Effective image output file information that is output every time from image information
Output candidate management means for generating and registering in the storage medium;
Effective image output file generated by the output candidate management means
The above-mentioned description in which a series of document image information is stored based on the information.
Copy the original image information corresponding to the blank page in the storage medium
Other valid image information excluded from the original image
And a copy control means for copying on a medium .

[0012] The present invention third invention according to outputs each time from the indicated original image information as an output target by the effective image information and said instruction means in a series of original image information outputted from said image outputting means and generates an effective image output file information provided output candidate management means for registering the Symbol 憶 medium, at the time of image output request after the first time, the first image <br/> image output control means the effective image output file With reference to the information, effective document image information is automatically retrieved from the storage medium and output from the image output means.

[0013] A fourth invention according to the present invention, a blank page area and the effective storage area in the storage medium in which a series of original image information is stored on the basis of the effective image output file information and the output candidate management unit has generated the storage medium management means for managing provided, when a predetermined data processing request to the storage medium, in which the storage medium management means is configured to re-register the blank page area as an effective storage region.

[0014] The present invention fifth invention according to the original image information in which a series of original image information corresponding to the blank page in the stored storage medium on the basis of the effective image output file information and the output candidate management unit has generated Is provided with copy control means for copying the valid image information excluded from the original image object of the copy source to another storage medium.

[0015] The present invention sixth invention according to the area designation means for designating a desired detection area for the original image information of each page to be continuously provided, the calculation unit includes an original image in the specified the detection area The configuration is such that the effective image information amount is calculated from the information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the image reading means has a plurality of image reading sections for simultaneously reading images on both front and back sides of a document sheet being conveyed, and front and back sides output from each reading section. those configured to store in the serial憶媒body each original image information.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is a raw material to be conveyed.
The image on the draft sheet is read optically and the read
The original image information of the original sheet is registered page by page in the storage medium.
The desired document image information registered in the storage medium.
The originals registered in the storage medium are searched and displayed on the display.
In the image processing method that outputs the draft image information to the recording medium
And outputs the retrieved series of document image information to a recording medium.
The original image information on each successive page
The calculation step for calculating the effective image information amount and the calculation step
Based on the amount of effective image information of each page calculated in
Recognize blank pages from the retrieved series of document image information
Of the document image information of the retrieved series
From the page recognized as a blank page in the recognition step.
The original image information is skipped in order and becomes an effective image.
First image output system for outputting draft image information to the recording medium
In accordance with the control process and the operator's instruction input, the recognition process is performed.
The original image information of the page recognized as a blank page is displayed.
The blank page display process displayed on the display and the display on the display.
From the document image information shown, the operator selects an effective image
The re-registration step of re-registering the judged original image information,
The document image information re-registered in the re-registration process
A second image output control step of outputting to a recording medium.
It is a thing.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is a raw material to be conveyed.
The image on the draft sheet is read optically and the read
The original image information of the original sheet is registered page by page in the storage medium.
The desired document image information registered in the storage medium.
The originals registered in the storage medium are searched and displayed on the display.
In the image processing method that outputs the draft image information to the recording medium
And outputs the retrieved series of document image information to a recording medium.
The original image information on each successive page
The calculation step for calculating the effective image information amount and the calculation step
Based on the amount of effective image information of each page calculated in
Recognize blank pages from the retrieved series of document image information
Of the document image information of the retrieved series
From the page recognized as a blank page in the recognition step.
Original image that becomes an effective image by sequentially skipping the original image
An image output control step of outputting image information to the recording medium,
Valid in the series of document image information output to the recording medium
Effective image output file information that is output every time from image information
An output candidate management step of generating and registering in the storage medium;
The effective image output frame generated in the output candidate management step.
A series of document image information was stored based on the file information.
Document image information corresponding to blank pages in the storage medium
Other than valid image information excluded from the original image of the copy source
It has a copy control process for copying to other storage media.
is there.

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numerals 1a and 1b denote CCD image sensors for simultaneously reading the front and back surfaces of a document being conveyed. Reference numeral 2 is a signal synthesizing circuit composed of analog switches for synthesizing the analog pixel data from these CCD image sensors 1a and 1b and collecting them into one signal.

Reference numeral 3 is an A / D converter for A / D (analog / digital) converting the analog pixel data from the signal synthesizing circuit 2 into digital multi-valued pixel data. Four
Is a multi-valued image processing circuit for performing image processing (for example, shading correction processing, gamma correction processing, edge enhancement processing, etc.) necessary for pixel improvement on the A / D-converted digital multi-valued pixel signal.

An image binarization circuit 5 binarizes the image signal into a black and white level by using a digital comparator or a pseudo multi-value processing method such as an error diffusion method. An input image switching circuit 6 selects one of the two binary image data lines. A binary image processing circuit 7 performs image processing such as "isolated point removal" and "image frame processing" on the selected binary image.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an image data compression circuit that encodes the binary image data that has been subjected to the binary image processing to compress the image. An image data expansion circuit 9 decodes the encoded image data to restore the original binary image data.

Reference numerals 11a and 11b denote a first image data buffer RAM and a second image data buffer R for temporarily storing and storing the above-described coded image data having two surfaces.
AM.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a SCSI bus transfer control circuit, which is an SC
It controls transfer with the SI (Small Computer System Interface) bus 13.

[0031] 14 the magneto-optical disk device connected to the SCSI bus 13, and is configured to memorize medium such as a magneto-optical disk freely mounted. Reference numeral 10 denotes a compressed image data transfer control circuit (DMA transfer control circuit) that controls the transfer of image data between the above devices. Reference numeral 15 is a compressed data amount signal from the compressed image data transfer control circuit 10
It is a port for reading the amount of compressed data for reading from the PU bus 16. In addition, on the MPU bus 16, MPU17,
The RAM 18 and the ROM 19 are connected to each other.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a display / output image graphic video RA for temporarily storing an image for display and output.
M and 22 are LCD displays (LC
D) and 23 are laser beam printers (LBP) for printing out images.

A display / output interface circuit 20 controls transfer of binary image data between these devices.

Correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the first to seventh inventions and their functions will be described below with reference to FIG.

A first aspect of the invention is to read image data of an original sheet conveyed by an image reading means (CCD image sensors 1a and 1b) and page image information of the original sheet read by the image reading means. A registration unit (by the function of the MPU 17) for registering a unit in a storage medium (in this embodiment, a magneto-optical disk), and a desired document image registered in the storage medium by this registration unit are searched to display (LCD 22). ) In the image processing device (LBP23) for outputting the document image information registered in the storage medium to the recording medium. series of original image information at the time of output from the image output means is, calculated effective amount of image information against the original image information of each successive pages That the calculating means (by functions of the MPU 17), a series of recognition means for recognizing blank pages from the document image information (MPU that said search means on the basis of the effective amount of image information of each page is calculated and searched by the calculating means
17)) and the document image information of a page recognized as a blank page by the recognizing unit is sequentially skipped from the series of document image information searched by the searching unit, and the document image information serving as an effective image is output as an image. Image output control means (depending on the function of MPU 17) for outputting to the means,
A blank page is recognized from a series of manuscript image information searched by the searching means based on the amount of effective image information of each page calculated by the MPU 17, and the manuscript images of the recognized pages are sequentially skipped to become an effective image. Original image information is L
Even if an unnecessary image that becomes a blank page when reading an original is registered on the BP 23, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which an unnecessary blank page is output when an image is output.

A second aspect of the invention is a blank page display means (by the function of MPU 17) for displaying a blank page candidate original image recognized by the recognition means on the display section (LCD 22), and the blank page display means is the display section. An instruction means (keyboard, pointing device, etc.) for instructing valid original image information from the blank page candidates displayed on the screen is provided, and the blank page display means selects the effective blank page candidate from the blank page candidates displayed on the display unit. When the manuscript image information is instructed to be output, the MPU 17 outputs the instructed manuscript image information to the LBP 23 and displays the manuscript image information recognized as a blank page, and the image information amount is almost blank. It is possible to reliably output the document image information that the user has confirmed as an effective image including the image information.

According to a third aspect of the invention, effective image output file information to be output every time is output from the effective image information in the series of original image information output from the image output means and the original image information instructed to be output by the instructing means. Generate the above
(Function of MPU17 by) the output candidate management means for registering the 憶 medium provided at the time of image output request after the first time, MPU
17 refers to the generated effective image output file information to automatically retrieve the effective original image information from the storage medium to perform LBP.
23, the effective document image information registered in the storage medium can be efficiently retrieved and output after the first time.

The fourth invention is a blank page area and the effective storage area in the storage medium in which a series of original image <br/> information is stored on the basis of the effective image output file information output candidate management unit was generated A storage medium managing unit (depending on the function of MPU 17) for managing is provided, and when a predetermined data processing request is made to the storage medium, the MPU 17 re-registers a blank page area as an effective storage area to effectively store an unnecessary storage area as a storage medium. It is possible to release it as an area and effectively secure and use the free space of the storage medium.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the original image information corresponding to a blank page in a storage medium in which a series of original image information is stored based on the effective image output file information generated by the output candidate management means is copied from the original document. Copy control means (MP that copies valid image information excluded from image objects to another storage medium
(Depending on the function of U17), and based on the effective image output file information generated by the output candidate management means, the MPU 17 uses the original image information corresponding to the blank page in the storage medium in which a series of original image information is stored as the copy source. It is possible to copy the valid image information excluded from the original image image to another storage medium and efficiently copy the valid image information without occupying the storage area of the other storage medium with an unnecessary blank page. And

A sixth aspect of the invention is a region designation means (a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., not shown) for designating a desired detection region for manuscript image information of each successive page.
The MPU 17 calculates the effective image information amount for the detection area in the original image information designated by the keyboard or the like, and even if the original is not recognized as a blank page, it is treated as an unnecessary blank page intended by the user. Enables recognition.

In a seventh aspect of the invention, the image reading means comprises a plurality of image reading sections (CCD image sensors 1a, 1b) for simultaneously reading the images on both the front and back sides of the conveyed original sheet.
The a, and stores each original image information on the front and back surfaces that are output from the image reading unit in serial憶媒body, unwanted blank page at the original image reading is in the storage medium in the state they exist in the front and back either the original sheet Even if registered, the blank sheet can be recognized and processed. Below, MPU17 is RO
A specific example as a means for executing various control programs stored in M19 will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an essential part for explaining the structure of the document reading section by the CCD image sensors 1a and 1b shown in FIG. 1, which is arranged at a predetermined position of a main body casing (not shown).

As shown in this figure, two pairs of conveying rollers 3
A double-sided original 3 conveyed along the conveyance guides 32a and 32b by the respective 0a, 30b, 30c, and 30d.
Document 5 is read by the document reading unit physically provided at substantially the same position. The image (reflected light) on the surface of the original 35 passes through the optical path that passes through the reading glass 31a, the total reflection plate 33a, and the imaging lens 34a, and then the CC for surface reading described above
The image is projected and imaged on the D image sensor 1a.

On the other hand, the image (reflected light) on the back surface of the original 35 passes through the optical path passing through the reading glass 31b, the total reflection plate 33b and the imaging lens 34b, and then the above-mentioned back surface reading CCD.
The image is projected and imaged on the image sensor 1b.

The document reading process will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As for the analog pixel data read by the two CCD image sensors 1a and 1b, the data from the front surface reading CCD image sensor 1a is output in the first half on one scanning line, and the back surface reading CCD image sensor is in the latter half. The output timing is controlled by a CCD transfer drive circuit (not shown) so that the data from 1b is output.

These two CCD image sensors 1a, 1
The analog pixel data output by b is synthesized by an analog switch at the timings shown in FIG. 3, for example, and in one scanning line, the first half thereof is front image data and the latter half is one signal line composed of rear image data. Becomes

Next, the A / D converter 3 converts the image data into 8-bit digital image data, and the multi-valued image processing circuit 4 improves the image quality such as "shading correction", "α correction", and "edge enhancement". After the image processing is performed, the image binarization circuit 5 generates a binary image signal of a black and white level.

Subsequently, the binarized pixel data is input to the binary image processing circuit 7 through the input image switching circuit 6 which is switched to the image binarizing circuit 6 side at the time of reading the original, and " Image processing such as "isolated point removal" and "image frame processing" is performed.

Here, the pixel data is divided into two parts, one of which is sent to the display / output interface circuit 20, and the display / output image graphic video RAM 2 under the control of this circuit.
After being temporarily stored in 1, the LCD 22 displays.

On the other hand, the compressed image data transfer control circuit 10 is sent to the image data compression circuit 8 and coded by sequential processing.
Under the control of 1), it is temporarily stored in the first image data buffer RAM 11a.

When the transfer of the compressed image data for one original document is completed through the procedure described above, the compressed image data transfer control circuit 10 outputs a compressed data amount signal for the original document, and the compressed data amount reading port 15 is provided. Can be read from the MPU bus 16 via.

Next, the MPU 17 issues a command to the SCSI bus transfer control circuit 12 via the MPU bus 16 and registers it as a compressed data amount of the image in the management area in the medium of the magneto-optical disk.

The second original is temporarily stored in the second image data buffer 11b by the same procedure. While the reading of the second document and the transfer of the image data are in progress, the compressed image data temporarily stored in the first image data buffer RAM 11a at the same time is the compressed image data transfer control circuit 10.
Is transferred to the SCSI bus transfer control circuit 12 under the control of
SCSI under the control of this SCSI bus transfer control circuit 12
The data is output to the bus 13 and stored and stored in the magneto-optical disk device 14 connected to the SCSI bus 13.

By repeating the data processing operation described above, the first and second image data buffer RAMs 11a,
By operating 11b with a double buffer configuration,
The double-sided originals that are continuously conveyed can be sequentially recorded on the magneto-optical disk device 14 without stopping.

Next, the case where a series of original image groups stored and stored in the magneto-optical disk device 14 are reproduced / output to a printer will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the reproduction / output processing procedure of the first original image in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

At the time of outputting / reproducing this original image,
The compressed image data read out from the medium of the magneto-optical disk device 14 is under the control of the compressed image data transfer control circuit 10 and undergoes a procedure reverse to that at the time of reading / recording the original, and then the first image data buffer RAM 11a. Alternatively, it is temporarily stored in one of the second image data buffers 11b (1).

Next, the compressed image data is sent to the image data expansion circuit 9 where it is decoded and expanded to generate the original binary pixel data.

Since the input image switching circuit 6 is switched to the image data decompression circuit 9 side in advance at the time of outputting / reproducing the original image, the decompressed original image is read through the input image switching circuit 6 to read the original. / Displayed as a reproduced image on the LCD 22 through the same procedure as when recording (2).

Next, the management area in the medium of the magneto-optical disk
Yo Ri after compression data amount MPU17 corresponding to the image via the MPU bus 16, SCSI bus transfer control circuit 12
Command to read (3). The MPU 17 compares the read compressed data amount with a preset amount and judges (4).

As a result, when it is determined that the amount of data after compression for the image is larger than the specified amount, the image is regarded as a valid image, the LBP 23 is activated, and the display / output image is temporarily stored in the graphic video RAM 21. The display / output interface circuit 20 for displaying the image data.
Under the control of, the data is transferred to the LBP 23 and is printed out as a hard copy on the print paper (5).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (4) that the read compressed data amount is less than the specified amount, it is considered that there is no valid image on the image (that is, a blank page), and the print output operation is performed. Instead of executing, the MPU 17 additionally registers in the management area (for example, page management file area) in the medium of the magneto-optical disk that the image is blank (6).

By repeating the above operation sequentially for all the images (7), a series of processing is completed.

In the above description of the process, in step (6), the process of registering the existence of a blank page in the medium for the post-process has been described. Of course, instead of this process, the LCD display 22 is displayed. A warning is displayed directly to the operator, the operator visually confirms the image on the LCD display 22 on the spot, and if the need is confirmed, an additional print is output and the effective image on the medium is re-registered on the page. It is also possible to perform processing.

Next, the second output mode in the present embodiment, that is, the operation of checking a blank page, outputting an additional print, and registering an effective image when the operation instruction of the operator intervenes will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the reproduction / output processing procedure of the second original image in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. It should be noted that (1) to (5) indicate the respective steps, and particularly correspond to the reprocessing procedure when the operation instruction by the operator intervenes.

At the time of this reprocessing, the operator gives a command to the MPU 17 via an input device (connected to the MPU bus 16 via a predetermined I / F) such as a keyboard (not shown), and a blank sheet is obtained by the automatic recognition. The original image determined to be a page is displayed again on the LCD display 22 (1). The operator looks at the contents of the display screen and reconfirms whether the original is a blank page (2).

Here, if the operator finds from the screen contents that the manuscript is judged to be a blank page by mistake, such as characters on only a small portion of the manuscript, the operator indicates to the MPU 17. An instruction is given to re-register that the image is valid in the management area on the medium (3).

By repeating the above operation for all the registered images sequentially (repeat steps (1) to (3)), the re-determination process is completed for a series of images (4). .

Next, in the above-described re-determination process, the page group re-determined as an effective image by the operator is reprinted and output by the LBP 23 collectively (5), and the whole process is terminated (1
2).

As described above, a history of unnecessary blank page states is generated in the medium at the time of the first print output for a series of originals, so that the print output at the next and subsequent times is possible. By using the history information, it becomes possible to automatically display and print out only the effective image.

[0073] Also, memorize organizing process for medium itself, for example condense processing, similarly using history information during garbage collection process, to re-register the region of the medium stored in the unwanted blank page image as a unused area , Can be reusable.

Similarly, when copying a series of original image groups into another medium, the history information is also used to select and send only the effective image excluding the blank page image to the copy destination medium. Is also possible. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 40 indicates one of the original binary pixel data sequentially generated by the image data expansion circuit 9 during the expansion processing.
An effective image area circuit for cutting out only the original area designated in advance, 41 is an original data amount reading port for reading out the data amount calculation signal output from the effective image area specifying circuit 40 from the MPU bus 16, and 42 is the effective output image It is an area designation value write port for writing the effective area range from the MPU bus 16 to the area designation circuit 40.

Next, the specific operation of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

In this case as well, the processing at the time of reading / storing the original is the same as in the case of the first embodiment, but the amount of compressed data corresponding to the original is not calculated and registered.

Next, regarding the processing at the time of reproduction / output of the original image, this is also basically the same as in the case of the first embodiment, but the original data amount for the original is calculated at the same time. Is the only difference.

That is, based on the binary pixel data of the original image sequentially generated by the image data expansion circuit 9, the effective image area designating circuit 40 outputs the image data amount signal which the compressed image data transfer control circuit 10 outputs in parallel with the transfer control. The value added and calculated only within the effective image area designated in step M is passed through the document data amount reading port 41 after completion of the document page processing.
Read from PU bus 16, as the data amount of the original, the management area within remembers medium of the magneto-optical disk via the SCSI bus transfer control circuit 12 (e.g., the page management area)
Is registered as the calculated data amount corresponding to the image.

As the calculated data amount, specifically, the sum of the change points of the black and white level of the binary pixel data in the effective image area of the document may be obtained.

Thereafter, the operation relating to print output and the like is exactly the same as in the case of the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the unnecessary original is not a blank sheet, the unnecessary original can be detected with higher accuracy.

As an example of the unnecessary manuscript, as shown in FIG. 7A, a manuscript whose company name, title, number of pages, etc. are attached to the top and bottom of the manuscript as a header or a footer, or in FIG.
As shown in (b) of (b) above, the original with the binding holes on the side of the original bound on the binder was read while being overlapped on the black background for the reason such as image frame addition processing. It is very effective for determining unnecessary originals such as originals left as black circles.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, when reproducing the image information stored and stored, a means for calculating the effective image information amount contained therein is provided, and the calculated result indicates that the image is a blank sheet image. By providing a function to suppress the output of the discriminated original image to an output medium such as print paper, it is possible to output unnecessary white paper images as they are to the output medium and avoid wasteful consumption of the output medium. Became.

Furthermore, a series of images judged as blank images by the operator in another process are visually and reconfirmed on the display,
An image that was determined to be a blank image during the previous automatic determination, but was actually determined to have an effective image in a part of the image,
By providing the function to additionally output to the output medium, compared to the case where only the data amount calculation function by the device itself is used,
It has become possible to construct an image processing device with higher reliability.

Further, by providing a means for storing the final output state determined above in an appropriate place such as in the storage storage medium containing the image information or in the apparatus itself, for the next output and thereafter. Has been able to build an efficient device that can automatically output only valid image pages.

Further, the unnecessary blank paper image recording area in the medium is used by using the unnecessary blank paper image instruction table registered for each output processing at the time of the organizing operation such as the condensation processing or the garbage collection processing for the storage medium. Is provided as a blank area and can be re-registered and reused. Furthermore, when copying the storage medium to another storage medium, the same means is used to copy the medium to the copy destination. By providing a function of not copying an unnecessary blank image of the copy source, it is possible to construct an apparatus capable of automatically discarding a blank original document.

[0088]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
Of According to the present invention, recognizing the blank page from a set of original image information recognition means is searched the search means on the basis of the effective amount of image information of each page calculated by the calculating means, the
The image output control unit 1 sequentially skips the document image of the recognized page and outputs document image information that becomes an effective image to the image output unit, and outputs a blank page according to the instruction input by the operator.
The original image information of the page recognized as a blank page is displayed.
Is displayed on the display unit, and the document image information displayed on the display unit is displayed.
Original image that was determined by the operator to be a valid image in the report
The information is re-registered by the re-registration means, and the re-registered original image information
Since the second image output control means outputs the information to the image output means, even if an unnecessary image that becomes a blank page at the time of reading an original is registered , the output of a blank page that becomes unnecessary at the time of image output is output. If it is possible to reliably avoid
In both cases, the document image information automatically mistakenly recognized as a blank page
The information can also be re-registered as a valid image and printed if necessary.
(Although the image information amount is almost blank,
The image information of the document that was confirmed by
Also, the reliability of the output function can be improved .

According to the second invention, it is calculated by the calculating means.
Based on the effective image information amount of each page
From the series of document image information retrieved by the retrieval means, a blank page
The page recognized by the image output control means.
Original image that becomes an effective image by sequentially skipping each original image
The information is output to the image output means, and the output candidate management means outputs the information.
Each time from the effective image information in the series of document image information
The effective image output file information to be output is generated and stored.
The image is registered in the medium, and the copy control means outputs the generated effective image.
A series of document image information is stored based on the file information.
The original image information corresponding to the blank page in the storage medium
Image information excluded from the original image
Is copied to another storage medium, so the storage area of the other storage medium
Effective image without occupying the blank area with unnecessary blank pages
Information can be efficiently copied.

According to the third invention, when the image output is requested after the first time, the first image output control means refers to the effective image output file information generated in the output candidate management means, and outputs the effective original image information. Since the storage medium is automatically searched and output from the image output means, the effective document image information registered in the storage medium can be efficiently searched and output after the first time.

According to the fourth invention, when a predetermined data processing request is made to the storage medium, the storage medium management means re-registers a blank page area as an effective storage area, and an unnecessary storage area as a storage medium is set as an effective storage area. Will be released as
The free space of the storage medium can be effectively reserved and used.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the copy control means, based on the effective image output file information generated by the output candidate management means, the original image corresponding to the blank page in the storage medium in which the series of original image information is stored. Effective image information that is excluded from the original image of the copy source is copied to another storage medium, so effective image information can be efficiently provided without occupying the storage area of the other storage medium with an unnecessary blank page. Can be copied.

According to the sixth invention, the calculating means calculates the effective image information amount for the detection area in the original image information designated by the area designating means, so that the original is not recognized as a blank page. Also, it is possible to recognize as an unnecessary blank page intended by the user.

[0094] According to the seventh invention, since storing the original image information on the front and back surfaces that are output from the image reading unit in serial憶媒body, unwanted blank page at the original image reading is either sides of original sheets The blank sheet can be recognized and processed even if the blank sheet is registered in the storage medium. According to the eighth invention, the calculated effective image of each page
From a series of document image information retrieved based on the amount of image information
Recognize a blank page and display the document image of the recognized page.
Document image information that becomes an effective image by sequentially skipping it is recorded on the recording medium.
It is output to the user's body and recognized as a blank page according to the operator's instruction input.
The original image information of the recognized page is displayed on the display and displayed.
Valid for the operator from the document image information displayed on the page
Re-register the original image information that was determined to be an image and re-register it.
The original image information is output to the recording medium,
Even if you register an unnecessary image that becomes a blank page at the time of
The output of the blank page that is unnecessary when the power is input is output.
It is possible to avoid the situation without fail, and accidentally white
If necessary, the document image information automatically recognized as a paper page
Can be re-registered as a valid image and printed (the amount of image information is
An original image that is close to a blank page but confirmed by the user as a valid image
Image information can also be output reliably), and the image storage and output function
Reliability can be improved. According to the ninth invention
For example, based on the calculated effective image information amount of each page,
Recognize a blank page from a series of document image information searched,
Effective by sequentially skipping the original image of the recognized page
The original image information that becomes an image is output to a recording medium, and the output
Output from valid image information in a series of document image information
Storage medium for generating effective image output file information
Registered on the basis of the generated effective image output file information.
In the storage medium in which a series of document image information is stored
The original image information corresponding to the blank page of
The effective image information excluded from the image target is copied to another storage medium.
Since it is copied, the storage area of other storage media is not required
Efficiently copy effective image information without being occupied
can do.

Therefore, there is an effect that the processing of unnecessary blank sheets can be surely restricted and the effective image information in the read original sheet can be efficiently processed.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts for explaining the configuration of a document reading unit using the CCD image sensor shown in FIG.

3 is a diagram showing an image data generation state at the time of reading an original by the CCD image sensor shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a reproduction / output processing procedure of a first original image in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a reproduction / output processing procedure of a second original image in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a manuscript with unnecessary information read by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a CCD image sensor 1b CCD image sensor 14 Magneto-optical disk device 17 MPU 18 RAM 19 ROM 22 LCD display 23 LBP

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-6-245003 (JP, A) JP-A-61-156966 (JP, A) JP-A-6-28447 (JP, A) JP-A-5- 341922 (JP, A) JP-A-5-72854 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 G06T 1/00 200 G03G 15 / 00 303

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A image reading means for reading an image of an original sheet conveyed optically, and registering means for registering in the storage medium the original image information in units of pages of the document sheets read from the image reading means, search means for displaying on the display unit to search the desired document image information registered in the storage medium by said registration means, and an image output means for outputting the document image information registered in the storage medium in a recording medium an image processing apparatus having a series of original image information retrieved by said retrieving means when the output from the image output unit, calculating means for calculating an effective amount of image information against the original image information of each successive pages When, recognizing recognizes a blank page from a set of original image information retrieved said search means on the basis of the effective amount of image information of each page calculated by the calculating means And the step, a series of by the recognizing means from the manuscript in the image information sequentially skipping by document image information becomes effective image original image information of a page is recognized blank pages searched by the searching means to the image output unit First image output to output
Force control means and the recognition means in response to the operator's instruction input.
Display the original image information of the page recognized as
The blank page display means and the original image information displayed on the display section
Re-register the original image information that was determined to be a more effective image.
The registration means and the document image information re-registered by the re-registration means
A second image output control means for outputting to the image output means . 2. An image of an original sheet conveyed is optically
Image reading means for reading and reading from image reading means
The original image information of the above-mentioned original sheet is recorded page by page.
Registration means for registering in a storage medium, and
The desired document image information registered in the storage medium is searched and displayed.
Search means to be displayed on the display section, and registered in the storage medium
Image output means for outputting document image information to a recording medium
In the image processing apparatus, a series of document image information retrieved by the retrieval means is displayed.
When outputting from the image output unit, the originals of each successive page
Calculation detecting means for calculating an effective amount of image information to the image information
And effective image information of each page calculated by the calculating means
A series of manuscript image information retrieved by the retrieval means based on the quantity.
The recognition means for recognizing a blank page from the information and the series of document image information searched by the search means.
Of the page recognized as a blank page by the recognition means
Original image information that becomes a valid image by sequentially skipping the original image
Image output control means for outputting information to the image output means, and a series of document image information output from the image output means.
Image output file that is output every time from the effective image information of
An output candidate manager for generating information and registering it in the storage medium
And a valid image output file generated by the output candidate management means
The above-mentioned description in which a series of document image information is stored based on the information.
Copy the original image information corresponding to the blank page in the storage medium
Other valid image information excluded from the original image
And a copy control means for copying on a medium.
The image processing apparatus. Wherein to produce a valid image output file information output each time from the designated original image information as an output target by the effective image information and said instruction means in a series of original image information outputted from said image outputting means the Symbol 憶 provided an output candidate management means for registering the media <br/> body, at the time of image output request after the first time, effective document the first image output control means with reference to said effective image output file information Te the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the by automatic search image information from the storage medium is output from the image output unit. 4. A storage for managing a blank page area and a valid storage area in a storage medium in which a series of document image information is stored based on the valid image output file information generated by the output candidate management means. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a medium management unit, wherein the storage medium management unit re-registers the blank page area as an effective storage area when a predetermined data processing request is made to the storage medium. 5. Original image information corresponding to a blank page in a storage medium in which a series of original image information is stored based on the effective image output file information generated by the output candidate managing means from the original image object of the copy source. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising copy control means for copying the excluded effective image information to another storage medium. 6. An area designating means for designating a desired detection area for manuscript image information of each successive page is provided, wherein the calculating means calculates an effective image from the manuscript image information in the designated detection area. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an amount of information is calculated. 7. The image reading means comprises a plurality of image reading section for reading at the same time an image of the front and rear surfaces both of the document sheet being conveyed, the serial each original image information on the front and back surfaces that are output from the reading unit憶The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus stores in a medium. 8. An image of a conveyed original sheet is optically read, the read original image information of the original sheet is registered in a storage medium in page units, and desired original image information registered in the storage medium is registered. And display it on the display,
In the image processing method for outputting the document image information registered in the storage medium to a recording medium, when outputting the searched series of document image information to the recording medium, an effective image for the document image information of each successive page A calculation step of calculating an information amount, a recognition step of recognizing a blank page from the searched series of original image information based on the effective image information amount of each page calculated in the calculation step, and the searched series of A first image output control step of sequentially skipping the document image information of pages recognized as blank pages in the recognition step from the document image information and outputting the document image information that becomes an effective image to the recording medium; A blank page display step of displaying the document image information of the page recognized as a blank page in the recognition step on the display in response to the instruction input of A re-registration step of re-registering the document image information determined to be a valid image by the operator from the document image information displayed on the display, and the document image information re-registered in the re-registration step to the recording medium. An image processing method comprising: a second image output control step of outputting. 9. An image of a conveyed original sheet is optically read, original image information of the read original sheet is registered in a storage medium in page units, and desired original image information registered in the storage medium is registered. And display it on the display,
In the image processing method for outputting the document image information registered in the storage medium to a recording medium, when outputting the searched series of document image information to the recording medium, an effective image for the document image information of each successive page A calculation step of calculating an information amount, a recognition step of recognizing a blank page from the searched series of original image information based on the effective image information amount of each page calculated in the calculation step, and the searched series of An image output control step of sequentially skipping the document images of the pages recognized as blank pages in the recognition step in the document image information and outputting document image information that becomes an effective image to the recording medium, and outputting to the recording medium. An output candidate pipe for generating valid image output file information to be output each time from valid image information in a series of document image information and registering it in the storage medium. Processing step and original image information corresponding to a blank page in the storage medium in which a series of original image information is stored based on the effective image output file information generated in the output candidate management step from the original image object of the copy source. And a copy control step of copying the excluded effective image information to another storage medium.