JP4146541B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus capable of performing display signal generation processing in a short time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, an image is read by an image reading device, transferred to a personal computer via a network, etc., displayed on the display with an icon, edited, deleted, etc., and then printed by a printer or the like. However, if the read image data is transferred as it is, there is a problem that it takes time to transfer the data.
[0003]
Therefore, in the conventional image reading apparatus, after the read image data is binarized, it is compressed by thinning according to the print density of the printer to be printed, for example, to reduce the amount of data to be transferred to a personal computer or the like. Things were going on.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional method, the transfer data is compressed according to a printer or the like, and is not suitable for display on a display such as a personal computer. The transfer data received by an application program inside the personal computer is dedicated for display. (Thumbnail) data had to be created separately, and there was a problem that it took time to create display-only data.
[0005]
In view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus that can perform display signal generation processing in a short time.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the preparative that reading means reads the images, conversion means for converting the image into multi-valued digital signal, binarization by binarizing the multi-value digital signal and binarizing means for generating a signal, and a display signal generating means for generating a display signal by thinning out said multilevel digital signal, storage for storing the display signal and the binarized signal and the association with each other And a transfer order setting means for setting the order of the display signals by rearranging the display signals, and generating an order table indicating the print order of the binarized signals according to the order of the display signals And reading means for reading out the binarized signal from the storage means according to the order table .
[0007]
One of the features of the present invention is that a display signal is created by thinning out a multi-value digital signal before binarization, instead of creating a display signal based on a signal binarized by the binarization means. It is in the point which did. As a result, the display signal creation processing time can be significantly reduced.
[0008]
In order to increase the efficiency of the display signal creation process, it is preferable that the display signal creation means creates the display signal simultaneously with the binarization of the multi-value digital signal in the binarization means.
[0009]
Another feature of the present invention is that the display signal and the binarized signal created as described above are stored in the image reading apparatus in association with each other. As a result, the printing order of the binarized signals can be set using the display signals on the image reading device side, or only the display signals are transferred to a data processing device such as a personal computer, and the binarized signals are processed by signal processing. the set print order, the result can be transferred by reading a binary signal according to the print order, the results which can communicate only with the processing of the display signal can reduce network traffic.
[0010]
Therefore, the image reading apparatus transfers the display signal to the data processing apparatus, the form in so that a communication means for receiving an indication of the printing order of the binary signal from the data processing apparatus further preferred.
[0011]
Also, another image reading apparatus of the present invention includes an image reading unit that acquires image data, image processing means for generating print data from the image data, display data by thinning processing the image data creation means for creating, storing means for storing in correspondence with said print data and the display data, and transfer means for transferring the display data to the data processing device, for the display from the data processing device Receiving means for receiving an instruction about the order of data; generating a sequence table indicating a printing order of the print data according to the instruction received by the receiving means; and storing the print data from the storage means according to the order table. Reading means for reading .
[0012]
[Operation and effect of the invention]
According to the present invention, since the display signal is created by thinning out the multi-value digital signal before binarization instead of the signal after the binarization of the image reading signal, the display signal creation process is easy. The processing time can be greatly shortened.
[0013]
In addition, since the display signal is generated in the image reading apparatus and the binarized signal is stored in association with the display signal, the transfer order of the binarized signal is changed using the display signal on the image reading apparatus side. It is possible to set and read and transfer the binarized signal according to the setting order. In addition, it is possible to transfer only the display signal to a data processing device such as a personal computer and set the transfer order of the binarized signals, and read and transfer the binarized signals according to the setting order. Network traffic can be reduced as a result of processing only with the communication of communication signals.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on specific examples shown in the drawings. 1 to 18 show a preferred embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the entire system of this example. The system of this example comprises a personal computer 100, a printer 200, a digital copying machine 300, and a network (or cable) 400 connecting them, and the digital copying machine 300 has printing, faxing, scanner and copying functions. ing.
[0015]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the digital copying machine 300 in function blocks. The digital copying machine 300 includes an image sensor 310, an A / D conversion unit 311, a binarization processing unit 312, a line memory 313, a CPU 314, an LCD 315, a system memory 316, an image storage memory 317, a compression / decompression processing unit 318, and an I / F. It mainly comprises a unit 319, a network card 320, a printer unit 321, a FAX modem 322, and an operation panel unit 323.
[0016]
The image sensor 310 reads an image line by line, the A / D conversion unit 311 multi-values the signal of the image sensor 310, and the binarization processing unit 312 outputs a multi-value digital signal of the A / D conversion unit 311. Is binarized, and the A / D conversion unit 311 and the binarization processing unit 312 constitute an image processing apparatus. The line memory 313 stores the multi-value digital signal of the A / D conversion unit 311 for every m lines in order to create icon data in parallel with the binarization processing. The compression / decompression processing unit 318 executes signal compression or expansion processing, and the CPU 314 controls various processes by giving necessary settings and instructions on the operation panel unit 323. The image processing apparatuses 311 and 312 and the compression / decompression processing unit 311 are configured by a custom IC (ASIC). Since other processing units are not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted. The line memory 313 is configured to store the signal of the A / D conversion unit 311. However, the line memory 313 may be configured to store a signal by providing a dedicated A / D conversion unit.
[0017]
FIG. 3 shows the screen of the operation panel unit 323 and the arrangement of various keys.
[0018]
Next, processing in the digital copying machine 300 of this example will be described. FIG. 4 shows the main flow of processing. When the process is started, first, a process for transferring the stored scan data is performed in step S10, and details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, the process proceeds to step S11, where it is determined whether or not a document has been set, and waits until a document is set. When the document is set, it is determined whether or not the start button of the operation panel unit 323 is turned on (step S12), and the process waits until the start button is turned on. Is determined (step S13). Whether or not normal copying is performed is determined by whether or not the normal copy key of the operation panel unit 323 is turned on. In the case of normal copy, the process proceeds to step S14 and normal copy processing is executed. Details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. If it is not a normal copy, the process proceeds to step S15 to execute image data reading and icon data creation processing, the details of which will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0019]
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of normal copy processing. When the process is started, an image reading process is executed in step S20, and details thereof will be described with reference to FIG. Next, the process proceeds to step S21 to transfer the image data to the printer unit 321 to execute printout, and it is determined whether or not the printout is completed (step S22), and the processes of steps S21 and S22 are performed until the printout is completed. Is repeated, and when printing is completed, the process returns to the main flow.
[0020]
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the image reading process in step S20 in the normal copy process. When the process is started, it is first determined in step S30 whether or not the reading is completed, and then one line of the image is read by the image sensor 310 (step S31), and the signal is sent to the A / D converter 311. And converted into a multilevel digital signal (step S32), the multilevel digital signal is binarized by the binarization processing unit 312 (step S33), and the binarized digital signal is converted by the compression / decompression processing unit 318. After compression (step S34), the file is stored in the file area with the ID number in the image storage memory 317 (step S35), and the above process is repeated for all the lines of the image, and all the lines of the image are read. The process is terminated. In this image reading process, it is also possible to execute a process of compressing the multi-value digital signal after A / D conversion by thinning data to a specified resolution and storing it in a file area with an ID number.
[0021]
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the process for transferring the stored scan data in step S10 in the main flow of the process of FIG. When the process is started (step S40), it is determined whether or not there is an icon transfer request from the personal computer 100 (step S41). If there is no icon transfer request, it is determined whether or not the LCD image editing screen has been selected, that is, whether or not the image editing key of the operation panel unit 232 has been turned on (step S42). If the image editing key is not turned on, the process is terminated. When the image editing key is turned on, the process proceeds to step S43, where icon data is written in the LCD memory, the icons are rearranged on the LCD 315, the page order is rearranged, deleted, An editing instruction such as insertion of another data is performed, and an order table is created (step S44). The editing instruction will be described with reference to FIGS. The order table will be described later with reference to FIGS. In step S45, a destination device is selected, and the same image data in the page order of the icon edited on the LCD 315 is transferred to the selected printer 200, fax, and personal computer 100 (step). S46), the process ends.
[0022]
If there is an icon transfer request from the personal computer 100 in step S41, the process proceeds to step S47, where the icon data with ID number is transferred to the personal computer 100, and the reception of the operation command with ID number is waited (step S48). . FIG. 14 shows an example of an operation command with an ID number. When the operation command with the ID number is received, the operation command is analyzed (step S49), and the printer 200, fax machine, personal computer, which is the transmission destination in which the image data with the same ID number is selected in the page order designated by the operation command. The data is transferred to the computer 100 (step S410), and the process ends.
[0023]
On the other hand, a flowchart of icon data reception processing in the personal computer 100 is shown in FIG. When the processing is started (step S50), the process proceeds to step S51, where icon data is written into the memory, and editing instructions such as icon rearrangement, page order rearrangement, deletion, and insertion of other data are performed on the display. At the same time, an order table is created (step S52). The editing instruction will be described with reference to FIGS. The order table will be described later with reference to FIGS. Next, after proceeding to step S53 and selecting a transmission destination device, an operation command (see FIG. 14) of the transmission destination device and page order is created (step S54), and the operation command is transmitted to the digital copier 300 ( Step S55), the process is terminated.
[0024]
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of image data reading and icon data creation processing in step S15 in the main flow of the processing of FIG. When the processing is started, first, an ID number is assigned and a file area is secured in the image storage memory 317 (step S70). After it is determined whether or not reading is completed (step S71), the process proceeds to step S72. Then, one line of the image is read by the image sensor 310, the signal of the image sensor 310 is converted into a multi-value digital signal by the A / D converter 311 (step S73), 1 is added to the parameter m, and the parameter m is It is determined whether or not the set number has been reached (step S75). The set number refers to the number of lines in the sub-scanning direction.
[0025]
If the parameter m is not the set number, the process proceeds to step S80, the A / D converted multilevel digital signal is binarized, compressed (step S81), and stored in the file area with the ID number ( In step S82), the above process is repeated until the parameter m reaches the set number. When the parameter m reaches the set number, the multi-value digital signal is taken into the line memory 313 (step S76), the data is thinned out every n dots and reduced (step S77), and this is stored in the file area with the ID number. (Step S82) After the parameter m is initialized to 0 (Step S79), the processing of Step S80, Step S81, and Step S82 described above is performed, and when all the lines of the image are read, the processing ends. Is done. That is, a multilevel digital signal is taken into the line memory 313 for every m lines, thinned out every n dots, reduced, and stored in the image storage memory 317 with an ID number. In the image data reading process, it is also possible to perform a process of thinning and compressing data to a specified resolution and storing it in a file area with an ID number. In addition, by changing the values of m and n, the degree of thinning when creating icon data can be changed.
[0026]
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of icon display processing in the personal computer 100. When the icon display process is started (step S90), the personal computer 100 requests the digital copying machine 300 to transfer icon data (step S91), receives the icon data from the digital copying machine 300, and displays the icon. (Steps S92 and S93), and the process is terminated.
[0027]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for printing out in response to an instruction from the operation panel unit 323 of the digital copying machine 100. When the personal computer 100 issues a printout instruction, the personal computer 100 performs the same control. When the processing is started, the print order table is referred to (step S100), the print order table is created according to the table (step S101), and the image data is read from the image storage memory 317 in the set order (step S101). In step S102, the image data is transferred to the printer 200 (or the printer unit 321) (step S103). When the transfer is completed up to the last data instructed (step S104), the process is terminated.
[0028]
16 to 18 show examples of creating the print order table. FIG. 16 shows a reading order (reading order). In the figure, image data 1 to 6 and thumbnail data A to F correspond to the reading order. FIG. 17 shows the order after the icons are rearranged (print instruction order). The left side is an example of an arrangement for normal printout, and is arranged in the order of C, D, A, E, and B. On the right side is an example of an array when N-up (2 in 1) copy is performed, which are rearranged in the order of CE, AB, and DF. 18 shows a table (print order) in which image data is assigned in the print order based on the table of FIG. 17, and the digital copying machine 300 or printer 200 prints out the image data based on the order of FIG.
[0029]
10 to 12 show examples of screens for ordering instructions displayed on the LCD 315 of the operation panel unit 323. When the personal computer 100 instructs the print order, a similar screen is displayed on the display of the personal computer 100. FIG. 10 shows an initial screen W10 for ordering. On the initial screen W10, the icons A to F of the scanned images are displayed in the upper order in the order of reading, and the icons of the images after the order change are displayed in the lower order in the order of printing. FIG. 11 shows the order instruction screen W11. On the screen W11, the icons of the read images are dragged and arranged below in the order in which they are to be printed. FIG. 11 shows an example in which the order for printing the image D is instructed. FIG. 12 shows an order instruction screen W12 for N-up (2 in 1) copying. Also in this case, the icons of the read images are dragged, and the left and right are paired below and arranged in the order of printing for each page. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the order for printing the image D is instructed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a system having a digital copying machine as a preferred embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the digital copying machine.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel unit screen and various key arrangements in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main flow of control processing in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of normal copy processing in FIG. 4;
6 is a flowchart of image reading processing in FIG. 5. FIG.
7 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of stored scan data transfer instruction processing in FIG. 4; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of image data reading and icon data creation processing in FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of icon transfer request processing from a personal computer to a digital copying machine.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an initial screen of an operation panel unit for instructing a print order.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which a print order instruction is given.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which a print order instruction for N-up copying has been performed.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of icon data reception processing in the personal computer.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation command.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of processing when printing is performed in accordance with an instruction from the operation panel unit.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between image data and thumbnail data according to a reading order;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an arrangement of thumbnail numbers and icon numbers according to the print instruction order after rearrangement.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of image data according to a print instruction order after rearrangement.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Personal computer (data processing device)
200 Printer 300 Digital copier (image reading device)
310 Image sensor (reading means)
311 A / D conversion unit 312 Binarization processing unit (binarization means)
313 Line memory 314 CPU (reading means)
315 LCD
317 Image storage memory (storage means)
318 Compression / decompression processing unit (display signal creation means)
323 Operation panel (transfer order setting means)

Claims (5)

And readings taken that reading means the images,
Conversion means for converting the image into a multi-value digital signal;
Binarization means for binarizing the multilevel digital signal to generate a binarized signal ;
And display signal generating means for generating a display signal by thinning out said multilevel digital signal,
Storage means for storing in association with the binary signal and the display signal,
Transfer order setting means for setting the order of the display signals by rearranging the display signals;
Reading means for generating a sequence table indicating the printing order of the binarized signals according to the order of the display signals, and reading out the binarized signals from the storage unit according to the order table;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein none to create the display signal simultaneously with binarization of the multilevel digital signal in the display signal producing means the binarizing means. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a communication unit that transfers the display signal to a data processing apparatus and receives an instruction about a printing order of the binarized signals from the data processing apparatus. . 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display signal is a signal for displaying an icon on a display screen. Image reading means for acquiring image data;
Image processing means for generating print data from the image data;
Creating means for creating display data by thinning the image data;
Storage means for storing the print data and the display data in association with each other;
Transfer means for transferring the display data to a data processing device;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction about the order of the display data from the data processing device;
Reading means for generating a sequence table indicating a printing order of the printing data according to the instruction received by the receiving unit, and reading the printing data from the storage unit according to the order table;
An image reading apparatus comprising:

Images