JP3587586B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for trimming an unnecessary area of image data read by a scanner.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus for trimming an unnecessary area of image data read by a scanner has been known. In this image processing apparatus, image data read by a scanner is temporarily stored in a hard disk connected to a host computer or temporarily stored in a memory of the host computer. Thereafter, unnecessary areas other than the required area in the image data are trimmed by executing retouching software on the image data. On the other hand, there is also known a method of performing shape recognition of a target image and automatically performing a trimming process.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when trimming an unnecessary area of image data read by a scanner, the image data is temporarily stored in a hard disk connected to the host computer or temporarily stored in a memory of the host computer. Unnecessary areas other than the necessary areas are trimmed by executing the retouching software on the image data.
[0004]
However, the image data read by the scanner also includes data other than the perforated part of the original photograph and the required area specified in the composition. In this case, when the image data is temporarily stored in the hard disk connected to the host computer, more image data than actually required image data must be stored in the hard disk. Originally, writing image data requires a great deal of time. In addition, if image data is stored in a hard disk more than necessary as described above, unnecessary portions are written and extra time is required.
[0005]
Further, when this image data is output to a color printer, it is necessary to trim unnecessary portions. This trimming operation is performed by reading out image data stored in the hard disk using retouching software or the like, displaying the image on a display connected to the host computer, and specifying a necessary area. In this case, especially when a large amount of image data is read, it takes a very long time.
[0006]
In addition, when performing this trimming operation using a mouse, it is necessary to move the display position in order to enlarge an image displayed on the display or to redisplay a portion that is no longer displayed on the display due to the enlargement. This takes a considerable amount of time.
[0007]
On the other hand, without storing this image data on the hard disk connected to the host computer, the image data is directly read into the memory of the host computer, the image data is displayed on the display, and the same trimming operation using a mouse as described above is performed. There is also a way to do it.
[0008]
However, in this case, the same problem as described above remains, and the operator needs to interactively perform a trimming operation for each image, which is not efficient.
[0009]
Further, if the trimming process is automatically performed by recognizing the shape of an image or the like, there is a disadvantage that the calculation time is extremely long.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and can efficiently and automatically perform a trimming operation, can effectively use a memory area such as a hard disk, and can store image data. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the time required for reading and writing.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is recording means for recording image data which is sent from a scanner which has read a document, and which comprises an image portion at a center and an outer frame portion provided outside the image portion via a boundary line, Trimming means for trimming the image data, wherein the trimming means sets two determination lines extending in the main scanning direction from one side in the main scanning direction to the other side of the image data, and Of the intersections with the line boundary lines, two lines extending in the sub-scanning direction through intersections on the image section side on one side and the other side in the main scanning direction are set as first trimming lines, and the two first trimming lines are set. A line extending in the main scanning direction through an intersection on the image portion side on one side and the other side in the sub-scanning direction among intersections of the image and the boundary line is set as a second trimming line, An image processing apparatus characterized by excluding the unnecessary area other than the required region surrounded by the serial first and second trimming line.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 2 is
Recording means for recording image data sent from the scanner that has read the original, and comprising image data in the center and an outer frame provided outside the image via a boundary line;
Trimming means for trimming the image data,
The trimming means sets two or more discriminating lines extending in the main scanning direction from one side in the main scanning direction to the other side with respect to the image data. Of the intersections, two lines extending in the sub-scanning direction passing through the intersection located closest to the image portion on one side and the other side in the main scanning direction are set as first trimming lines,
The trimming means further sets one or more correction lines extending in the sub-scanning direction from one side in the sub-scanning direction to the other side between the two first trimming lines, and a first trimming line extending in the sub-scanning direction; Of the intersections between the correction line and the boundary line, a line in the main scanning direction passing through the intersection located closest to the image portion on one side and the other side in the sub-scanning direction is set as a second trimming line, and the two first trimming lines are set. An image processing apparatus characterized in that unnecessary areas other than a required area surrounded by a trimming line and the two second trimming lines are excluded.
[0013]
[Action]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the original is read by the scanner, the image data is sent from the scanner to the image processing apparatus, and is recorded in the recording means provided in the image processing apparatus. For this recorded image data, the trimming means provided in the image processing apparatus first sets two discrimination lines extending in the main scanning direction from one side to the other side. Thereafter, the trimming means sets two lines extending in the sub-scanning direction through the intersection on the one side and the other side in the sub-scanning direction, among the intersections between the two determination lines and the boundary line, as a first trimming line, Of the two intersections between the first trimming line and the boundary line, a line extending in the main scanning direction passing through the intersection on the image portion side on one side and the other side in the sub-scanning direction is set as a second trimming line. Unnecessary areas other than the necessary areas, which are surrounded by the first and second trimming lines, are excluded.
[0014]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the original is read by the scanner, the image data is sent from the scanner to the image processing apparatus, and is recorded in the recording means provided in the image processing apparatus. For this recorded image data, the trimming means provided in the image processing device sets two or more discrimination lines extending in the main scanning direction from one side in the main scanning direction to the other side in the image data. Of the intersections between the two or more discrimination lines extending in the main scanning direction and the boundary lines, two lines extending in the sub-scanning direction through intersections located closest to the image portion on one side and the other side in the main scanning direction. Is set as the first trimming line. The trimming means further sets one or more correction lines extending in the sub-scanning direction from one side in the sub-scanning direction to the other side between the two first trimming lines, and a first trimming line extending in the sub-scanning direction; Among the intersections between the correction line and the boundary line, a line in the main scanning direction passing through the intersection located closest to the image portion on one side and the other side in the sub-scanning direction is set as a second trimming line. Next, unnecessary areas other than the required area surrounded by the two first trimming lines and the two second trimming lines are excluded.
[0015]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
[0016]
1, the image processing system 10 includes a scanner 11 and an image processing device 13. The connection cable 16 for image data transmission is connected to the scanner 11, and the connection cable 16 is connected to the image processing device 13.
[0017]
The image processing apparatus 13 has a memory unit 15 for recording image data before processing and a trimming unit 14. Among these, the trimming means 14 excludes unnecessary areas other than the necessary areas in the image data as described later. A hard disk 18 for recording processed image data and a printer 17 for printing an image are connected to an external bus (not shown) of the image processing device 13. , A display 19 for displaying an image is connected.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, an original is first read by a scanner 11, and image data is sent from the scanner 11 to an image processing device 13 by a connection cable 16. The sent image data is temporarily recorded in the memory unit 15 of the image processing device 13.
[0020]
The trimming means 14 provided in the image processing device 13 performs trimming processing of the image data by the following processing method based on the image data temporarily recorded in the memory unit 15. This trimming process is shown in FIG.
[0021]
In FIG. 2, an area surrounded by the outline 20 is image data read by the scanner 11. Here, the point A at the upper left in the figure is the origin (0, 0), the direction from the point A to the point B is the positive X-axis direction, and the direction from the point A to the point C is the Y-axis positive direction. The positive direction of the X axis coincides with the sub-scanning direction, and the positive direction of the Y axis coincides with the main scanning direction. Further, the image data is partitioned into an image portion 1 surrounded by boundaries 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d and an outer frame portion 2 (hatched portion) outside the image portion.
[0022]
In the image data in FIG. 2, the coordinates of each point are, for example, (3150, 1) for point B, (1,650) for point C, (3150, 2650) for point D, (10, 200) for point A1, B1 is (3000, 180), point C1 is (100, 2600), and point D1 is (3100, 2500).
[0023]
First, the trimming means 14 sets a determination line 31a in the main scanning direction extending from the upper side to the lower side of the screen near the image portion side of the boundary line 21a, and similarly, from the upper side of the screen near the image portion side of the boundary line 21b. The main scanning direction determination line 31b extending to the side is set. The discrimination line 31a is represented by X = 95, and the discrimination line 31b is represented by X = 3015.
[0024]
Next, the trimming unit 14 sequentially scans the image data from the first line in the sub-scanning direction, and checks the gradation values of the pixels on the set determination lines 31a and 31b. Based on the obtained tone value, it is determined whether the area is a necessary area or an unnecessary area. In this determination, for example, if the gradation values of all of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) are 90% or more, it is determined that the area is an unnecessary area. to decide. Here, in FIG. 2, the hatched portion is 90% or more for each of C, M, Y, and K.
[0025]
On the discrimination lines 31a and 31b, up to the 179th line in the sub-scanning direction, C, M, Y, and K are all 90% or more, and thus are determined to be unnecessary areas.
[0026]
When the 180th line in the sub-scanning direction is entered, all of C, M, Y, and K are not 90% or more on the discrimination line 31b. Therefore, the trimming unit 14 considers that the necessary area has been entered and activates the flag Fb. Make a set. The intersection between the 180th line in the sub-scanning direction and the determination line 31b is the intersection between the determination line 31b and the boundary line 21c.
[0027]
It should be noted that this flag is provided so that even if there is a pixel in which all of C, M, Y, and K are 90% or more by chance on the determination line 31b, it is not determined that the pixel is an unnecessary area. When activated, the reset is not performed until all of the flags Fa and Fb are activated.
[0028]
At this point, since all of C, M, Y, and K are still 90% or more on the determination line 31a, the trimming means 14 continues to determine that the area is unnecessary.
[0029]
When entering the 201st line in the sub-scanning direction, all of C, M, Y, and K are not more than 90% on the discrimination line 31a, so that the flag Fa becomes active. Here, both of the flags Fa and Fb are activated. Is set to active. The intersection between the 201st line in the sub-scanning direction and the determination line 31a is the intersection between the determination line 31a and the boundary line 21c.
[0030]
Here, the trimming unit 14 determines that the required area is from the 201st line. Since the 201st line in the sub-scanning direction is closer to the image portion than the 180th line, the 201st line is the first trimming line 32a. When this determination is completed, the flags Fa and Fb are reset. Further, up to the 200th line received up to that point, the data is also erased from the memory unit 15 and is not written on the hard disk 18 as a matter of course.
[0031]
Next, the trimming means 14 scans the pixels along the first trimming line 32a of the 201st line and finds the eleventh pixel from the left end of the screen where all of C, M, Y, and K are no more than 90%. It is determined that the area is necessary. Thereafter, the pixels are further scanned along the first trimming line 32a, and the necessary area is up to the 3015th pixel before the 3016th pixel where all of C, M, Y, and K become 90% or more. Judge. The eleventh pixel line and the 3015th pixel line in the main scanning direction are candidates for the second trimming line as described later. The intersections of the eleventh pixel line and the 3015th pixel line in the main scanning direction with the first trimming line 32a are the intersections of the first trimming line 32a and the boundary lines 21a and 21b, respectively.
[0032]
Thereafter, the trimming means 14 scans the 202th line in the next sub-scanning direction on the discrimination lines 31a and 31b, and continuously scans the pixels. On each of the discrimination lines 31a and 31b, the 2600th line where all of C, M, Y, and K become 90% or more is temporarily regarded as an unnecessary area, and the image data beyond the area is stored in the memory unit. Neither 15 nor the hard disk 18 is written.
[0033]
Thereafter, the trimming means 14 scans in the reverse direction on the discrimination lines 31a and 31b from the 2599th line immediately before the 2600th line, and when all of C, M, Y and K are 90% or more, At the time when they disappear, the flags Fa and Fb are set active.
[0034]
In FIG. 1, all of the flags Fa and Fb are set to be active from the 2499th line, and the 2499th line in the sub-scanning direction is closer to the image section than 2600 lines. I do.
[0035]
Here, the trimming unit 14 further performs the same scanning as that performed on the first trimming line 32a along the first trimming line 32b of the 2499th line, and as a result, the 3rd pixel from the 95th pixel from the left end of the screen to 3099 pixels It is determined that the area up to the eyes is the necessary area. In this case, the intersection of the 95th pixel line and the 3099th pixel line in the main scanning direction with the first trimming line 32b is the intersection of the first trimming line 32b and the boundary lines 21a and 21b, respectively.
[0036]
Here, as described above, by scanning on the first trimming line 32a, it is determined that the 11th pixel to the 3015th pixel are the necessary area, but it is avoided that the image data includes unnecessary area data. Therefore, comparison with the necessary area determined in the first trimming line 32b is performed. That is, on the left side of the screen, the necessary area is determined from the eleventh pixel by scanning on the first trimming line 32a and from the 95th pixel by scanning on the first trimming line 32b. The area from the 95th pixel on the image portion side is determined as a necessary area. Similarly, on the right side of the screen, up to the 3099th pixel by the scanning on the first trimming line 32a and up to the 3015th pixel by the scanning on the first trimming line 32b are determined as necessary areas. The area up to the 3015th pixel on the side is determined as a necessary area.
[0037]
Based on this result, the trimming means 14 sets a line that passes through the 95th pixel from the left side of the screen and is parallel to the main scanning direction as the second trimming line 33a, and similarly, passes through the 3015th pixel from the left side of the screen and passes in the main scanning direction. A parallel line is set as the second trimming line 33b. When the document is rectangular as shown in FIG. 1, the second trimming lines 33a and 33b coincide with the discrimination lines 31a and 31b.
[0038]
By the above processing, the necessary area is specified by the first trimming lines 32a and 32b and the second trimming lines 33a and 33b, and unnecessary areas other than these areas are excluded. That is, a rectangular area having (95, 201), (3015, 201), (95, 2499), and (3015, 2499) as vertices is specified as a necessary area. The image data of the necessary area is stored in the hard disk 18 or the like.
[0039]
Note that, in determining the position of the first trimming line 32b, the scanning in the reverse direction is performed. However, when the number of pixels in the main scanning direction in the image data is known, the scanning on the determination line in the main scanning direction is performed. If a certain area is advanced (for example, about 80%) and then all of C, M, Y, and K become 90% or more, an algorithm for determining a lower area as an unnecessary area is set in advance. Scanning in the direction need not be performed.
[0040]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the trimming means 14 sets two first trimming lines 32a and 32b from the intersection of the two discriminating lines 31a and 31b and the boundary lines 21c and 21d. Two second trimming lines 33a, 33b are set from intersections of the lines 32a, 32b and the boundary lines 21a, 21b, and a region surrounded by the first and second trimming lines 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b is a necessary region. Since other areas are excluded as unnecessary areas, image data can be trimmed efficiently without forcing the operator to perform a troublesome operation.
[0041]
Next, a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the number of determination lines extending in the main scanning direction is increased in the trimming means 14, and one or more correction lines extending in the sub-scanning direction are provided between the first trimming lines. 1 and the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0042]
That is, in FIG. 3, the trimming means 14 sets the discrimination line 51a in the main scanning direction near the image portion side of the boundary line 61a, and similarly sets the discrimination line 51f in the main scanning direction near the image portion side of the boundary line 61b. Set. Further, the discrimination line 51a and the discrimination line 51f are appropriately divided, the discrimination lines 51b, 51c, 51d, and 51e are set, and a total of six discrimination lines in the main scanning direction are set.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the number of discrimination lines in the main scanning direction is six, but the number of discrimination lines may be further increased.
[0044]
Next, as in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trimming means 14 sequentially scans on the set discrimination lines 51a to 51f, and examines the tone values of the pixels on this discrimination line. I do.
[0045]
Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the trimming means 14 sets the flag to active on each of the determination lines 51a to 51f in the main scanning direction. In FIG. 3, the flags are set active in the order of Fa, Fc, Ff, Fb, Fd, Fe.
[0046]
When the scanning reaches the P-th line in the sub-scanning direction on the determination line 51e, all the flags become active. In this case, the P-th line is a line passing through the intersection of the discrimination lines 51a to 51f and the boundary 61c closest to the image portion.
[0047]
Here, the trimming unit 14 sets the P-th line in the sub-scanning direction as the first trimming line 52a, and determines that the area below the first trimming line 52a is a necessary area. At the stage where this determination is completed, all the flags are reset. Further, the image data up to the first trimming line 52a received up to that point is also erased from the memory unit 15 and is not written into the hard disk 18 as a matter of course.
[0048]
Next, as in the first embodiment, the trimming unit 14 scans the pixels from the left side of FIG. 3 along the first trimming line 52a, and all of C, M, Y, and K become no more than 90% A1. It is determined that the area from the pixel is a necessary area. Thereafter, the pixels are further scanned along the first trimming line 52a, and the area up to the A2th pixel immediately preceding the pixel in which all of C, M, Y, and K are 90% or more is determined to be a necessary area. I do.
[0049]
Thereafter, the trimming means 14 continuously scans the pixels on each of the discrimination lines 51a to 51f in the main scanning direction, and all of C, M, Y, and K on any of the discrimination lines 51a to 51f in the main scanning direction. The area below the R-th line in the sub-scanning direction, which is 90% or more, is temporarily regarded as an unnecessary area, and the image data beyond the area is not written to the memory unit 15 or the hard disk 18.
[0050]
Thereafter, the trimming means 14 scans pixels in the memory in the reverse direction on each determination line in the main scanning direction, and resets each flag when all of C, M, Y, and K are no more than 90%. Set to active sequentially.
[0051]
In FIG. 3, all of the flags are set to be active at the time when scanning is performed up to the Q-th line 52e in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, the Q-th line 52e is set as the first trimming line 52e. In this case, the Q-th line is a line passing through the intersection on the image portion side most among the intersections of the discrimination lines 51a to 51f and the boundary 61d.
[0052]
Here, the trimming means 14 further performs the same scanning as that performed on the first trimming line 52a along the trimming line 52e of the Qth line, and as a result, the pixels from the E1 pixel to the E2 pixel in the required area. Judge that there is.
[0053]
Here, the trimming means 14 corrects several corrections in the sub-scanning direction between the first trimming lines 52a and 52e in parallel with scanning the pixels continuously on each of the determination lines 51a to 51f in the main scanning direction. Lines 52b to 52d are separately provided. Next, scanning in the sub-scanning direction similar to that performed on the first trimming lines 52a and 52e is performed on the correction lines 52b to 52d in each sub-scanning direction, and the necessary area is determined on each of the correction lines 52b to 52d. .
[0054]
In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which three correction lines 52b, 52c, and 52d in the sub-scanning direction are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of correction lines 52b, 52c, and 52d is further increased. It doesn't matter.
[0055]
On the correction line 52b, it is determined that the area from the B1 pixel to the B2 pixel is the necessary area, and on the correction line 52c, the area from the C1 pixel to the C2 pixel is determined as the necessary area, On the correction line 52d, the area from the D1 pixel to the D2 pixel is determined to be the necessary area.
[0056]
Here, in order to avoid unnecessary data from being included in the image data, the trimming unit 14 determines the required area determined in the first trimming line 52a and the first trimming line 52e and the three correction lines in the sub-scanning direction. A comparison is made with the necessary areas determined on 52b, 52c, and 52d.
[0057]
First, the trimming unit 14 compares the positions of the pixels A1, B1, C1, D1, and E1 on the left side of the screen in FIG. 3, and determines that the right side from the C1 pixel on the rightmost side (image portion side) is the necessary area. Similarly, on the right side of the screen, the positions of the pixels A2, B2, C2, D2, and E2 are compared, and the left side from the D2 pixel on the leftmost side (image portion side) is determined to be the necessary area.
[0058]
As a result, the line 51g in the main scanning direction including C1 is determined as the second trimming line 51g in the main scanning direction on the left side of the screen, and similarly, the line 51h in the main scanning direction including the pixel D2 is determined on the right side in the main scanning direction. Is determined as the second trimming line 51h. In this case, the second trimming lines 51g and 51h are lines passing through the intersections closest to the image portion among the intersections between the first trimming lines 52a and 52e and the correction lines 52b to 52d and the boundary lines 61a and 61b.
[0059]
By the above processing, the second trimming line 51g in the main scanning direction including the pixel C1, the second trimming line 51h in the main scanning direction including the pixel D2, the first trimming line 52a in the sub scanning direction including the pixel P, A rectangular area including the pixel Q and surrounded by the first trimming line 52e in the sub-scanning direction is specified as a necessary area. This result is stored in the hard disk 18 or the like.
[0060]
According to the present embodiment, the first trimming lines 52a and 52e are determined based on a large number (six) of the determination lines 51a to 51f, and are provided between the first trimming lines 52a and 52e and the first trimming lines 52a and 52e. Since the second trimming lines 51g and 51h are determined based on the corrected lines 52b to 52d, it is possible to more accurately specify a necessary area even for image data having complicated boundary lines 61a to 61d.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the trimming means sets a determination line in the main scanning direction and a determination line in the sub-scanning direction, and sequentially scans the determination line. It is automatically determined whether the area is a necessary area or an unnecessary area based on the gradation value of the upper pixel. Since this trimming process is automatically performed, trimming can be performed efficiently without forcing the operator to perform a troublesome operation. In addition, since it is not necessary to save an unnecessary area, an area such as a hard disk can be used effectively, and the time required for reading and writing can be reduced.
[0062]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first trimming line is determined based on a large number of determination lines, and the second trimming line is determined based on the first trimming line and the correction line. The necessary area can be more accurately specified for the image data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and is a schematic diagram illustrating an installation state of an image processing system.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and is a view showing the concept of an image processing operation according to claim 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and showing the same contents as in FIG. 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image section
2 Outer frame
11 Scanner
13 Image processing device
14 Trimming means
15 Memory
18 Hard Disk
20 Outline
21a, 21b, 21c, 21d Boundary line
31a, 31b Determination line in main scanning direction
32a, 32b First trimming line
33a, 33b Second trimming line
51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 51e, 51f Determination line in main scanning direction
51g, 51h Second trimming line
52a, 52e First trimming line
52b, 52c, 52d Correction line

Claims (2)

Recording means for recording image data sent from the scanner that has read the original, and comprising image data in the center and an outer frame provided outside the image via a boundary line;
Trimming means for trimming the image data,
The trimming means sets two discrimination lines extending in the main scanning direction from one side in the main scanning direction to the other side with respect to the image data. Two lines extending in the sub-scanning direction passing through the intersection on the image portion side on one side and the other side in the direction are set as first trimming lines, and among the intersections between the two first trimming lines and the boundary line, the sub-scanning is performed. A line extending in the main scanning direction passing through the intersection on the image portion side on one side and the other side in the direction is set as a second trimming line, and unnecessary areas other than the necessary area surrounded by the first and second trimming lines are excluded. An image processing apparatus, comprising: Recording means for recording image data sent from the scanner that has read the original, and comprising image data in the center and an outer frame provided outside the image via a boundary line;
Trimming means for trimming the image data,
The trimming means sets two or more discriminating lines extending in the main scanning direction from one side in the main scanning direction to the other side with respect to the image data. Of the intersections, two lines extending in the sub-scanning direction passing through the intersection located closest to the image portion on one side and the other side in the main scanning direction are set as first trimming lines,
The trimming means further sets one or more correction lines extending in the sub-scanning direction from one side in the sub-scanning direction to the other side between the two first trimming lines, and a first trimming line extending in the sub-scanning direction; Of the intersections between the correction line and the boundary line, a line in the main scanning direction passing through the intersection located closest to the image portion on one side and the other side in the sub-scanning direction is set as a second trimming line, and the two first trimming lines are set. An image processing apparatus, wherein an unnecessary area other than a necessary area surrounded by a trimming line and the two second trimming lines is excluded.

Images