JP4297888B2 - Image editing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image editing apparatus that performs an editing process on image data of a partial area on a document.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image editing apparatus that performs various image processing (editing functions) such as color conversion, trimming, and inversion on a specified image area on a document by a digital monochrome / color copying machine (first). (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the processing of the editing function, first, the area to be edited is designated by directly marking the editing target portion on the document, then the document is read, and the area designated by the marker is detected, Editing processing such as “deletion of designated range”, “designated range extraction copy”, “designated range shading”, “designated range color conversion”, and “negative / positive reversal” is executed only for the detection area. Marker pens used for area designation are marker pens that can be read lighter than the original image density in monochrome copiers, color marker pens that have color information different from the original image color in color copiers, and image reflection of original documents. Many fluorescent marker pens having information different from the rate are used.

  Also, without marking the document directly, the image data obtained by combining the image data of the document and auxiliary information such as grid frame data is output as temporary output paper, and the temporary output paper is marked, and the marking information Has been reported (see the second prior art, for example, Patent Document 2).

As a technique for recognizing the shape of an image, a technique has been reported in which a polar coordinate system histogram is created for a detected image whose origin is the center of gravity of a detected image, and figure recognition is performed based on the polar coordinate system histogram ( For example, see Patent Document 3). As another image shape recognition technique, image data is raster-scanned to calculate position information of detected image data, and figure recognition is performed based on the positional relationship between the lines of detected position information. A technique for performing the technique has been reported (for example, see Patent Document 4).
JP-A-5-344314 JP 7-74927 A JP-A-58-18767 JP 59-72576 A

  However, the first prior art method has a problem that the original is soiled because it is necessary to directly mark the original. For this reason, in the case of a document to be stored, it is necessary to make a separate copy, which causes problems in document management such as wasteful work and increase of documents.

  Further, since the image and the marker portion are mixed on the original, an area designation detecting means for detecting the marker portion from the image data is newly required, and the processing circuit is burdened. Furthermore, since it is necessary to mark directly on the manuscript, the image data and the marker part data are mixed, and the marker part written for other than the editing purpose is also determined as the editing target area, and unnecessary editing is performed. There were also problems such as possible cases.

  Furthermore, since there are restrictions on the image data information of the original and the marker pen to be selected, there is a problem that the original that can be edited is limited.

  On the other hand, the second prior art has a problem that the amount of toner consumption increases because it is necessary to output temporary output paper once. In addition, in order to perform image editing processing, there is a problem that the processing time is prolonged, such as a process of outputting as temporary output paper, a process of marking the temporary output paper, and a process of rereading the marked temporary output paper. It was. Further, when the marked temporary output paper is re-read, if the user sets the original by mistake, there is a problem that the process needs to be repeated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and can easily specify an editing range without directly marking an original image to be edited, realizing a plurality of edits in a single process, An object of the present invention is to provide an image editing apparatus that can easily perform a plurality of editing corrections, reduce processing time, reduce toner consumption, and reduce misprints due to erroneous setting by a user.

  The first gist of the present invention is to read a first surface on which a first image, which is an image to be edited, is formed, and a second surface on which a second image is formed on the back surface thereof. An image editing apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that outputs the image data; and an editing processing unit that edits the first image data based on the second image data, wherein the editing processing unit is the second processing unit. Editing position information relating to an editing area in the first image is obtained from the position of the second image on a plane.

  The second gist of the present invention is characterized in that the second image is a different image for each editing content, and the editing processing means obtains the editing content of the first image from the second image. The image editing apparatus according to the first aspect.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided input means for inputting edit contents for editing the first image, and the edit processing means is configured to input the first image based on the second image data and the edit contents. The image editing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein data is edited.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of second images having different shapes are formed on the second surface, and designation information for designating one of the plurality of second images and the first Input means for inputting setting information including editing content for editing the image, and the editing processing means is configured to input the first image based on the second image data and the editing content specified by the specifying information. The image editing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein data is edited.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of installation information can be set for each different designation information, and the editing processing means edits a plurality of locations of the first image data based on the plurality of setting information. The image editing apparatus according to the fourth aspect.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the image editing apparatus according to the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, wherein the designation information is input to the input unit before the second surface is read by the image reading unit. is there.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display unit that displays all the second image data output from the image reading unit, and the designation information is displayed on the display unit as the second image data. The image editing apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the image editing apparatus is input to the input unit after the input.

  An eighth aspect of the present invention is the image editing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the second image is formed on a back side of the editing area.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image editing apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the second image is information indicating a center position of the editing area.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is the image editing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the second image is formed on a central position of the editing area.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing image data, and when the first image is read before the second image by the image reading means, the first The image editing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 10, wherein the image data is stored in the storage unit.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the second image is read before the first image by the image reading unit, the first image data output from the image reading unit is used. 12. The image editing apparatus according to any one of the gist 1 to 11, wherein editing is performed by the editing processing unit without being stored in a reading unit.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when the second image is read before the first image by the image reading unit, the image reading unit is configured to read only a part of the first image. 13. The image editing apparatus according to any one of the gist 1 to 12, wherein reading is performed.

  A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the image reading unit has different reading resolutions when reading the first surface and reading the second surface. An image editing device.

  According to the first aspect, the editing processing means can specify the editing position in the first image to be edited by reading the second image formed on the back side where the edited image is formed. Therefore, it is not necessary to directly mark the original surface to be edited, and the original can be prevented from being stained. In addition, since it is not necessary to make a copy of the original image to be edited, it is possible to reduce the toner consumption and prevent the lifetime from being shortened.

  According to the second aspect, the editing processing means can determine the editing position and the editing content in the first image to be edited by reading the second image formed on the back side where the edited image is formed. , User editing process can be streamlined.

  According to the third aspect, fine editing content can be defined by adopting a configuration in which editing content is input from the input means.

  According to the fourth aspect, since a plurality of edit positions in the first image to be edited can be specified, a plurality of edits can be performed on the first image data, and the same first image can be obtained for each edit content. It is possible to eliminate the need to prepare a formed document.

  Also, by using the first and second image data, different editing processes can be performed only by changing the setting information without reading the document again, and a plurality of types of editing operations for the same editing target image collection are prepared. it can.

  According to the fifth aspect, a plurality of processes can be performed by one reading process and one output process, complicated processes such as cutting and pasting can be eliminated, and consumption of paper and toner can be suppressed. The processing speed can be increased, the wear of the apparatus can be suppressed, and the life can be extended.

  According to the sixth aspect, since the editing output is automatically performed after the reading of the document is started, the user can leave the front of the apparatus.

  According to the seventh aspect, the detection state of all the detected second images can be grasped on the display unit. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate erroneous editing output based on erroneous detection of the device. For example, whether or not the device is correctly detected even when the ambiguity remains as in the second image written by the user freehand. Thus, the second image that can be detected can be corrected and a reliable editing process can be performed.

  According to the eighth aspect, the user can easily set the editing area.

  According to the ninth aspect, the center position of the image editing area of the first image can be specified from the second image by using the second image as the information of the center position serving as the reference of the editing area. Therefore, it is easy to specify the image editing area of the first image.

  According to the tenth aspect, the center position of the image editing area of the first image can be specified from the second image by forming the second image on the center position serving as the reference of the editing area. Therefore, it is easy to specify the image editing area of the first image.

  According to the eleventh aspect, since the editing processing unit edits the first image data stored in the storage unit, any image editing function can be realized. In addition, even if a problem occurs during the subsequent reading of the second image, the recovery process can be performed smoothly and the total processing time can be shortened.

  According to the twelfth aspect, since the image editing function is realized without storing the first image data in the storage unit, the processing time can be shortened. Further, the storage area necessary for storing the image data can be used for other processing, and the device performance is improved.

  According to a thirteenth aspect, since the editing function (editing content) and the editing position can be specified by reading the second image first, the editing processing means can read only the first image used for the editing content. Edit processing can be executed. Therefore, the processing time for realizing the image editing function can be shortened by reading only an area necessary and sufficient for the image editing function desired by the user. In addition, since the reading means can be used efficiently, the machine life can be prevented from decreasing.

  The 14th gist is that the second image is a simple mark or the like for specifying the editing content and editing position of the first image, and is not an object of copying or the like. Therefore, the resolution can be specified when reading the second image. Can be lowered to range. Therefore, the reading resolution of the second surface can be lowered compared with the reading resolution of the first surface, and the reading time of the second surface can be shortened. Therefore, the processing time for realizing the subsequent image editing function can be shortened. Further, since the image reading means can be used efficiently, the machine life can be prevented from decreasing.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments and examples are examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a digital (color) multifunction machine 1 as an image editing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 particularly shows an image reading apparatus 3 that executes a reading process of a document image of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and an image forming apparatus 5 that executes an image forming process on a sheet. The image forming apparatus 5 will be described.

<Image Reading Device 3>
The image reading apparatus 3 includes a sheet feeding unit 3a and an optical system 3b from above in FIG. 1, and is used as a scanner device for a copying machine or a facsimile machine, and reads an image on one side and both sides of a document. This is a possible configuration. Details will be described below.

<Sheet feeding unit 3a>
The sheet feeding unit 3a rotates upward on the back side (the back side of the drawing in FIG. 1) of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 with a hinge (not shown) provided between the sheet feeding unit 3a and the optical system 3b as a pivot. It comes to move. Thereby, in the image reading apparatus 3, the upper surface of the document table b1 can be opened from the front side of the paper, and a book document or the like that cannot be conveyed can be set on the document table.

  The sheet feeding unit 3a automatically conveys and discharges a document to the reading unit of the optical system 3b, and a document tray (sheet placing unit) a1 for placing a document and a document on the document tray a1. A document detector a2 for detecting presence / absence, a pickup roller a3 for fetching documents on the document tray a1 one by one, a feed roller a4 and a separation roller a5 facing each other for conveying only one document (sheet) A curved conveyance path a6 that changes the conveyance direction by approximately 180 degrees (including 180 degrees), a conveyance resist roller a8 that conveys the document toward the document table b1 in accordance with the image reading timing, and a document conveyance direction from the conveyance registration roller 3a8 A document conveyance timing detector a7 provided on the upstream side to detect the presence or absence of a document conveyed by the registration roller a7, and a document conveyance hand for conveying the document on the document table b1 And (belt) a9, has a sheet discharge unit a10 for accommodating the document after reading, a.

  In addition, the sheet feeding unit 3a is arranged so that the back side (second surface) can be read continuously after the reading of the front surface (first surface) of the document, and the end side of the document conveying means a9 and the sheet A reversing roller a11 that changes the conveying direction of the conveyed document between the discharge unit a10, a flapper a12 that distributes the document separated from the reversing roller a11 to either the sheet discharge unit a10 or the document table b1 side, have. The document conveying means (belt) a9 is configured to be able to reverse the conveying method in order to convey the document separated from the flapper a12 to the reading unit (Pos1) on the document table b1.

  The curved conveyance path a6 has a curvature that allows the manufacturer to guarantee a stable supply of all types of documents, and has a curvature that can smoothly convey the thickest, that is, the furthest document among readable documents. Yes.

  The document conveying means a9 is not limited to a belt, but may be any device that can convey a document, for example, a roller.

  A document (one sheet or a stacked state) placed on the document tray a1 is detected by the document detector a2 and taken in one by one by the pickup roller a3, and one sheet by the sheet feeding roller a4 and the separation roller a5. Only the original (sheet) is fed into the curved conveyance path a6, and the original is conveyed from the registration roller a8 onto the original table b1 in accordance with the timing of reading the image.

  The document from the registration roller a8 is transported and placed to the reading position by the document transport unit a9, and is transported to the reversing roller a11 side by the document transport unit a9 after the reading of the front surface (first surface) image is completed. Subsequently, the flapper a12 is set to feed the document from the reversing roller a11 to the document table b1 in order to read the image on the back surface (second surface). The document whose surface image has been read is fed again onto the document table b1 while being reversed, while passing through the reversing roller a11 and the flapper a12, and is transported and loaded again to the reading position by the document transport means a9. Placed.

  When the document reversing mechanism using the reversing roller a11 and the flapper a12 is used, the front surface and the back surface of the document table b1 are reversed with respect to the document conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction). In this embodiment, since it is assumed that document reading by the optical system 3b is started from one document reading start position on the document table b1, the document reading start position is used for reading the document on the front surface and reading the document on the back surface. Is reversed in the sub-scanning direction.

  After the reading of the image on the back side, the flapper a12 switches the conveyance path so as to convey the document to the sheet discharge unit a10 side, and the document after the completion of the reading of the image on the back side is moved through the reverse roller a11 and the flapper a12. Then, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge unit a10.

<Optical system 3b>
The optical system 3b includes a document table (platen glass) b1 on which a document is placed, a light source unit b2 that irradiates the document through the document table b1 and receives reflected light from the document, and the reflected light. A CCD reading unit b3 for receiving light and converting it into an electrical signal; a mirror unit b4 for guiding reflected light from the light source unit b2 to the reading unit b3; and a light source unit detector b5 for detecting the position of the light source unit b2. is doing.

  The light source unit b2 includes a light source c1, a mirror c2 that collects reading illumination light from the light source c1 at a predetermined reading position on the document table b1, and a slit c3 that allows only reflected light from the document to pass through. And a mirror c4 that changes the optical path of the light that has passed through the slit c3 by 90 °.

  The CCD reading unit b3 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) as reading means, and includes an imaging lens d1, a CCD image sensor d2, and the like.

  The mirror unit b4 includes a pair of mirrors e1 and e2 that change the optical path of light from the light source unit b2 by 180 °. Assuming that the speed of the light source unit b2 is V, the mirror unit b4 can read an original image by moving in the arrow A direction (sub-scanning direction) at a speed of V / 2.

  The optical system 3b forms an image of an original placed on a platen glass (platen glass) b1 and supported on a plane on the CCD reading unit b3 provided at a fixed position by a light source unit b2 and a mirror unit b4. And read.

  The image reading apparatus 3 has a document fixing mode in which an original is placed on the document table b1 and stopped and the image is read, and a document conveyance mode in which the image is read while the document is being conveyed.

  In the document fixing mode, the light source unit b1 moves from the position of the reading start position Pos1 in FIG. 1 to the position of Pos2 by a predetermined distance according to the size detected by a document size detector not shown in FIG. At the same time, the light source c1 and the CCD d2 are driven to read the image on the surface (lower side) of the document. As the light source unit b1 moves, the mirror unit b4 also moves in the sub-scanning direction A. The light source unit b1 and the mirror unit b4 are moved by a scanning motor (not shown) such as a stepping motor. The specification of the start position Pos1 of the light source unit b1 is detected by the light source unit detector b5.

  On the other hand, in the document transport mode, an image is read while the document is transported at a constant speed while the light source c1 and the CCD d2 are driven with the scanning motor (not shown) stopped. That is, the light source unit b1 is stopped at the position Pos1 in FIG. 1, and reading is performed while the document is conveyed.

  The optical system 3b is not limited to the above configuration as long as it can read an image of a document. For example, the CCD reading unit 3b may have a structure in which at least a CCD image sensor d2, an imaging lens d1, and a light source c1 are scanned at a predetermined speed V by a reduction reading optical system or an equal magnification reading optical system unit. .

  As described above, the image reading apparatus 3 reads both sides of the original with the common optical system 3b. That is, when reading the first surface, the document is transported in the first transport direction with respect to the optical system 3b, and when reading the second surface, the document is changed 180 degrees from the first transport direction with respect to the optical system 3b. It is the structure conveyed by the 2nd conveyance. In the present invention, the common optical system 3b is used. However, separate optical systems are used for reading the first surface and the second surface, and the conveyance direction to each optical system is changed by 180 degrees. Good.

<Image forming apparatus 5>
The image data read by the optical system 3b is input to the image forming apparatus 5 after being subjected to predetermined image processing and editing processing, and is copied, reproduced, and discharged on the sheet using toner. Note that image processing and editing processing of image data may be performed in the image forming apparatus 5, and image data read by the optical system 3 b and image data subjected to predetermined image processing and editing processing are processed. Needless to say, a structure in which the image is once stored in the memory and an image in the memory is read according to the output instruction can be obtained.

  The image forming apparatus 5 includes a control unit 5a that controls the inside of the apparatus, a laser writing unit 5b that is an optical writing apparatus that irradiates a laser based on image data, a photosensitive drum 5c that is irradiated with the laser, A charging device 5d for charging the photosensitive drum 5c to a predetermined potential, and a plurality of developing devices 5e for supplying a toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 5c to visualize the color (in the drawing). Only one), a transfer device (transfer charger or the like) 5f for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5c to a sheet, a neutralizer (e.g., a charge removal charger) 5g for discharging the surface of the photosensitive drum 5c, an extra And a cleaning device 5g for collecting toner. The charger 5d, the developing device 5e, the transfer device 5f, the static eliminator 5g, and the cleaning device 5h are arranged in the order described above in accordance with the rotation direction of the drum 5c around the photosensitive drum 5c (see FIG. 1).

  The laser writing unit 5b includes a semiconductor laser light source that emits laser light in accordance with image data read from the memory or image data transferred from an external device, a polygon mirror that deflects the laser light at a constant angular velocity, and a deflection at a constant angular velocity. It comprises an f-θ lens that corrects the laser beam so that it is deflected at a constant angular velocity on the photosensitive drum 5c. In this embodiment, a laser writing unit is used as the writing device, but a solid scanning optical writing head unit using a light emitting element array such as an LED or an EL may be used.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 5 includes a fixing unit 5i that fixes a toner image on the sheet onto which the image separated from the photosensitive drum 5c is transferred. The fixing unit 5i includes a pair of rollers, and a heat source is provided in the rollers, and fixing is performed by applying heat to the toner image and the sheet while the sheet passes between the pair of rollers.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 5 is formed (fixed) on the discharge side of the fixing unit 5i with a switchback path 5j that reverses the front and back of the sheet in order to form an image again on the back side of the sheet, a paper discharge roller 5k, and an image. And a post-processing device 5l having a lifting tray as well as stapling the sheets.

  The paper feed unit of the image forming apparatus 5 is disposed below the transfer unit 5f and the static eliminator 5g, and includes a manual feed tray 5m, a duplex unit 5n, a paper tray 5o, and a multistage paper feed unit 5p provided in the main body. The paper feed trays 5p1 and 5p2 are provided. Further, a transport means 5q is provided for transporting the sheets fed from these trays 5m, 5o, 5p1, and 5p2 to a transfer position where the transfer device 5f is disposed. The duplex unit 5n communicates with a switchback path 5j that reverses the sheet, and is used when an image is formed on both sides of the sheet. The duplex unit 5n can be replaced with a normal sheet cassette, and the duplex unit 5n can be replaced with a regular sheet cassette.

  With the above configuration, the fed sheet, which is any of the trays 5m, 5o, 5p1, and 5p2, is conveyed to the transfer position where the transfer device 5f is disposed, and is formed on the photosensitive drum 5c at the transfer position. The toner image is transferred onto the conveyed sheet, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet by the fixing unit 5i. Then, the toner image passes through the switchback path 5j and the duplex unit 5n, and then is discharged by the paper discharge roller 5k. It is guided to the processing device 5l, where it is discharged after being subjected to predetermined post-processing.

  Although not shown, a large-capacity paper feed tray capable of storing thousands of sheets can be mounted.

  In the configuration of the image forming apparatus 5, the case where copying is performed on paper using toner has been described. However, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied may be an apparatus capable of forming an image on a sheet, and has the above configuration. For example, a configuration and an apparatus that perform copying on a sheet using ink or the like may be used.

  Although the digital multifunction peripheral 1 has been described with respect to a color copying machine, it goes without saying that it may be a monochrome copying machine.

<Editing method>
In the present embodiment, editing position information relating to the editing area (editing range) to be edited within the editing target surface on the back surface (second surface) of the editing target surface (first surface) of the document desired to be edited. Indicates. By adopting such a configuration, since writing for editing is not performed on the editing target surface of the manuscript, it is possible to solve problems such as smearing the editing target surface, and extra copies such as taking a copy of the editing target surface. Processing and unnecessary copying can be suppressed. In particular, by adopting a configuration in which an image other than the mark used for designating the editing area is not formed on the back side of the document, processing for distinguishing the mark from the document image is not necessary, and editing processing errors can be prevented.

  The marking method used for designating the editing area to be provided on the back surface includes a method of marking the entire editing area with a solid line or a broken line, and a method of marking a part of the reference position such as the center position of the editing area.

  For marking the reference position in the edit area, only the center position of the edit area may be marked, or 2-point designation, 4-point designation, or the like may be used. Hereinafter, a case where only the center position of the editing area is marked will be described.

(1) of FIG. 5 shows the back surface (2nd surface) which attached the marking image M, (2) is an enlarged view of the marking image M, (3) has shown before and after editing of the edit object surface.
As shown in FIG. 5, the editing area designation method is such that, of the back surface Db of the document D, the back surface position of the center point (XM, YM) (editing position information) of the editing area (editing area) EA of the editing target surface Da ( Xm, Ym) (editing position information) is assigned a predetermined marking image M, and the editing area EA is centered on the center point (XM, YM) (or (Xm, Ym)) via the operation panel unit 7. This is done by inputting the designated type and the size (RX, RY) in the scanning direction (X, Y). The configuration for executing the editing process and the processing content will be specifically described below.

<Digital MFP 1>
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 as the image editing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of image editing processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes a control unit 2 that controls the whole, the image reading device 3, an image reading interface 3A and an image reading control unit 3B provided between the image reading device 3 and the control unit 2, The image forming apparatus 5, the image output interface 5A and the image output control section 5B provided between the image forming apparatus 5 and the control section 2, the operation panel section 7, the operation panel section 7 and the control section 2 A panel interface 7A, a panel control unit 7B, an image processing unit 9, an image area detection unit 11, an image editing unit 13, and an image recording unit 15.

  Based on a control signal from the control unit 2, the image reading control unit 3B receives images of both sides Da and Db (FIG. 5) of the document D to be edited from the image reading device 3 (FIGS. 1 and 2) via the image reading interface 3A. Read data can be acquired (step S1 in FIG. 3).

  The panel control unit 7B receives the image editing conditions (editing contents) from the operation panel unit 7 via the panel interface 7A, transmits the image editing conditions (editing contents) to the control unit 2, and provides notification information to the user based on a command from the control unit 2. It is displayed on the operation panel unit 7. The image editing conditions are input by the user through the operation panel unit 7.

  Image editing conditions include area specification mode for specifying editing contents, for example, specified range deletion, specified range extraction copy, specified range shading, specified range color conversion, specified range negative / positive conversion, specified range enlargement / reduction, etc. Or, there is no area designation mode indicating that editing is not performed. In the area designation mode, the area designation type, length, and magnification can be designated, and details will be described later. The operation panel unit 7 can also be specified by an external device.

  The image processing unit 9 performs image processing on the image data of the editing target surface Da shown in FIG. 5 among the image reading data input from the image reading device 3, and converts the image data into digital image data (step S2 in FIG. 3). ). The image data of the editing target surface Da is stored in the image storage unit 15 (step S3 in FIG. 3). The image storage unit 15 can use SDRAM, DIMM, SRAM, hard disk or the like, and is not particularly limited.

  The area detection unit 11 determines the presence or absence of the marking image M from the image data of the back surface Db shown in FIG. 5 among the image reading data input from the image reading device 3. When there is the marking image M, the center position (Xm, Ym) with respect to (Xo, Yo) of the back surface Db that is the original reading start position of the marking image M is detected. The back side of the center position (Xm, Ym) is a reference for the editing area EA of the editing target surface Da. Based on the center position (Xm, Ym), the area detection unit 11 determines the center position (XM, YM) of the editing area EA relative to the document reading start position (XO, YO) of the editing target surface Da and the editing area EA ( Step S4 in FIG. In the present embodiment, as described above, in the front side document reading and the back side document reading, the position on the document placed at the document reading start position of the document table b1 is reversed in the sub-scanning direction. The relationship of (XM, YM) = (Xm, DY−Ym), where DY is the length of the document D in the sub-scanning direction. The positional relationship is a case where the reference position is one point on the document table b1, and the relationship (XM, YM) = (Xm, Ym) may be obtained by setting the reference position as one point on the document. it can.

  The image editing unit 13 performs image editing processing on the image data of the editing target surface Da in the input image read data based on the image editing conditions set by the user and the result obtained by the area detection unit 11. Then, output data (print data) is created (step S5 in FIG. 3).

  The image output control unit 5B sends output data (print data) to the image forming apparatus 5 (FIGS. 1 and 2) via the image output interface 5A, and outputs an edited image (step S6 in FIG. 3). ). Although the image forming apparatus 5 has been described as a copy output apparatus, it may be a scanner output apparatus, a FAX, or the like. Therefore, the output format of the edited image of the image forming apparatus is not limited to the case where it is formed on a sheet, and includes display on a display device, transfer through a transmission line (including wired and wireless), and the like.

<Area designation mode>
The process in the area designation mode will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the image reading control unit 3B waits for a document to be placed on the document tray a1 (FIG. 1) based on the detection output of the document detector a2 (FIG. 1) (“No” in step S11). "). When the document is placed on the document tray a1 (FIG. 1) (“Yes” in step S11), the image reading control unit 3B starts preparation for reading the document D.

  Next, image editing conditions such as a designated type, a designated length, a designated magnification, and an area designation mode set in advance by the user on the operation panel unit 7 are acquired (step S12). In the area specification mode, the specified range is deleted, only the specified range is extracted and copied, the specified range is shaded, the specified range is converted to color, the specified range is displayed in negative / positive conversion, the specified range is expanded, and the specified range is displayed. There are 8 choices for reduction or no area designation.

  Next, the image reading control unit 3B waits for an instruction to start reading the document D (“No” in step S13), and when the start key (not shown) is pressed, the start of reading the document D is instructed (step S13). In step S13, "Yes"), the document reading process is started.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the area designation mode is set (step S14). If it is set (“Yes” in step S14), the process proceeds to processing for the area designation mode (step S15). As shown in FIG. 5, the user who has selected the area designation mode preliminarily places a marker pen on the back side (Xm, Ym) of the center point (XM, YM) of the editing area EA of the editing target surface Da with respect to the document D. It is assumed that the marking image M is added. The type of marker pen is not specified.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the edit target surface Da is read first (step S15).

<Pre-reading the editing target surface Da>
When the edit target surface Da is read first (“Yes” in step S15), the image processing unit 9 performs image processing on the image data of the edit target surface Da that is image read data input by the image reading device 3. Then, the processed image data of the unedited editing target surface is stored in the image storage unit 15 (step S16).

  As described above, the order of reading from which surface is set in advance on the operation panel unit 7, for example, the first reading is the editing target surface Da and the next reading is the back surface Db. , The recognition process of the editing target surface Da and the back surface Db with the marking image M can be efficiently performed. The image to be deleted from the editing target surface Da, the marking image M of the back surface Db, and the like. Unnecessary reading of images can be eliminated, unnecessary storage in the storage means can be omitted, and the burden of image processing on the control unit 17 and the like can be reduced, and the processing speed and efficiency can be improved. . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reading order of the document surface is not specified, both the image data on both sides are read, both are stored in the image storage unit 15, and the marking image is detected. A technique of changing the image processing procedure may be used.

  Next, the document D is reversed by the reversing roller unit a11 (FIG. 1), and the marking image Db which is the image reading data input by the image reading device 3 is read again (step S17). Then, the area detection process is performed and the area detection result is stored (step S18). Details of the area detection processing will be described later (FIGS. 5 to 8).

  Next, the image data of the unedited editing surface Da stored in the image storage unit 15 is read out, and the read image data is read out based on the area detection result and the image editing conditions input to the operation panel. Then, the image editing unit 13 performs image editing processing to create output data (print data) that is edited image data (step S19).

<Pre-reading marking image M>
If the marking image M is read first (“No” in step S15), it is determined whether the marking image M is read correctly (step S21). If the marking image M is read correctly (“Yes” in step S21). ) The marking image M, which is the image reading data input by the image reading device 3, is subjected to area detection processing by the area detection unit 11, and the area detection result is stored (step S22). The area detection process will be described later (FIGS. 5 to 8).

  Next, the document D is reversed by the reversing roller unit a11 (FIG. 1), and an optimum reading method is selected by the image reading control unit 3B based on the obtained area detection result and image editing conditions (step S23). ). By selecting the optimum reading method, it is possible to reduce the processing time by controlling so as not to read an image area unnecessary for the image editing process.

  Next, based on the selected optimum reading method, the editing target surface Da is read by the image reading device 3, the image data is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 9, and the obtained area detection result and image are obtained. Based on the editing conditions, the image editing unit 13 performs image editing processing to create output data (print data) (step S24).

  If the mode is not the area designation mode (“No” in step S14), normal image input processing without image editing is performed (step S26), normal image processing and image editing processing are performed, and output data (printing) Data) is created (step S27).

  Finally, after the output data (print data) is created, the output data (print data) is output from the image output control unit 5B to the image forming apparatus 5 in a predetermined format (step S20, step S25, step S28).

  If the marking image is not correctly detected from the image data on both sides of the document (“No” in step S21), a message such as “area cannot be edited” is displayed on the display screen (not shown). Then, the conveyance and reading of the original are interrupted (step S29).

<Area detection processing>
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the area detection process, and shows an example of the area designation mode. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the area detection process (FIG. 4, Step S18, Step S22) in the area designation mode. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating in detail the process of calculating the center position of the marking image (FIG. 6, step S42) in the area detection process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating in detail the process of adjusting the image editing conditions of the image data on the editing target surface (FIG. 6, step S44) in the area detection process.

  First, the document reading start position (Xo, Yo) of the marking image M and the document reading start position (XO, YO) of the image data on the editing target surface Da are stored in a storage unit (not shown) (step S41).

<Calculation of the center position of the marking image>
Next, the center position of the marking image M is calculated (step S42).

  An example of determining the presence or absence of the marking image M and calculating the center point (Xm, Ym) of the marking image M is shown in FIG. As the calculation means, data in the main scanning direction X is detected, the continuous data in the main scanning direction X is counted (Xcnt), and a line that satisfies the count value Xcnt above a certain threshold is set as a marker line. Count (Ycnt) in the sub-scanning direction.

  The average pixel position Xm of the marking detection data in the main scanning direction X and the marker count line average value Ym in the sub-scanning direction Y are set as the center point (Xm, Ym) of the marking image M. However, this calculation means is an example, and the shape and size of the marking image M are not limited. Further, as the detection means for the marking image M, density and luminance may be used. Further, according to the present embodiment, the center point of the marking image M is used for detection of the editing area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two-point designation, four-point designation, etc. may be used as described above. good.

  A processing procedure for calculating the center position of the marking image will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the main scanning direction area pixel counter (Xcnt) and the sub scanning direction area line counter (Ycnt) are initialized (step S51), and reading of one line of the document surface Db to which the marking image M is added is started (step S51). S52). The main scanning direction area start position coordinate (Xs) is also initialized (step S53).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a marking image M (step S54). If there is a marking image M (“Yes” in step S54), the main scanning direction area pixel counter (Xcnt) is incremented by one count. (Step S55). Only when the marking image M is detected first (“Yes” in step S56), the main scanning direction area start position coordinates (Xs) are stored in the storage unit (step S57).

  Next, it is determined whether or not all the data for one line has been read (step S58). If all the data for one line has not been read (“No” in step S58), the marking image M The same process is repeated from the process of determining whether or not there is (step S54). When all the data for one line has been read (“Yes” in step S58), the process proceeds to processing for determining whether or not the main scanning direction area pixel counter (Xcnt) is greater than or equal to a certain threshold value (MARK) (step S59). ). For example, when the document surface Db of the marking image M is read at a reading resolution of 100 dpi (dot / inch), a method of setting MARK = 20 pixels (dots) is considered, assuming that 5 (mm) or more is a marking image.

  By setting in advance on the operation panel unit 1 which side of the document surface the marking image M is applied, the reading resolution of the image data on the back surface Db is set to the reading resolution of the image data on the editing target surface Da. Reading at a lower resolution is also possible, and the processing efficiency can be improved by increasing the processing speed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is not necessary to specify the original surface even when reading with the same reading resolution.

  If the main scanning direction area pixel counter (Xcnt) is less than the threshold value (MARK) (“No” in step S59), it is determined that there is no marking image, and the process determines whether all lines have been read. Transition is made (step S64).

  If the main scanning direction area pixel counter (Xcnt) is greater than or equal to the threshold value (MARK) (“Yes” in step S59), it is determined that the marking image M exists, and the sub-scanning direction area line counter (Ycnt) counts by one. Are added (step S60). Only when it is first determined that the marking image M exists (“Yes” in step S61), the sub-scanning direction area start position coordinates (Ys) are stored in the storage unit (step S62).

  Next, the main scanning direction area center coordinates (Xsn) in one line are calculated and stored in the storage unit (step S63). Here, n = Ycnt, and the main scanning direction area center coordinate (Xsn) is calculated from (Xsn = Xs + Xcnt / 2).

  Next, it is determined whether or not all lines have been read (step S64). If all lines have not been read ("No" in step S64), the same process is repeated from the process of starting reading one line. (Step S52). If all lines have been read (“Yes” in step S64), the center coordinates (Xm, Ym) of the marking image are calculated and stored in the storage unit (step S65). Here, n = Ycnt, and the center coordinate (Xm) of the marking image in the main scanning direction is calculated from (Xm = (Xs1 + Xs2 +... + Xsn) / 2). The center coordinate (Ym) in the sub-scanning direction area of the marking image is calculated from (Ym = Ys + Ycnt / 2).

<Calculation of center coordinates of editing area>
Next, in consideration of the difference between the reading resolution of the marking image M and the reading resolution of the image data on the editing target surface Da and the reading start position of the editing target surface Da and the back surface Db being reversed with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y, editing is performed. The central coordinates (XM, YM) of the editing area EA in the image data of the target surface Da are calculated and stored in the storage unit (step S43 in FIG. 6).

<Editing adjustment process>
Next, in consideration of the central coordinates (XM, YM) of the editing area EA in the obtained image data of the editing target surface Da and the image editing conditions set by the user, the editing area area designated by the user It is determined whether or not correction is necessary, and if necessary, editing area range adjustment processing is performed (step S44 in FIG. 6).

  The editing area range adjustment processing procedure will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, the designated type, designated length, designated magnification, and area editing mode image editing conditions set by the user on the operation panel unit 7 are acquired from a storage unit (not shown) (step S71). In the designated type, there are five options: square type, rectangular type, rhombus, round type, and Auto. In the designated length, the length RX in the main scanning direction and the length RY in the sub scanning direction can be selected in units of (mm). Note that only the main scanning direction X can be selected for a square type, a round type, and an Auto designated type. The designated magnification can be selected from (percent) units or Auto.

  In the present embodiment, the image editing conditions (editing contents) are instructed from the operation panel unit 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of types of marking images M1 to Mn are prepared. Image editing information that defines the editing contents on a one-to-one basis with respect to the shape of the marking image is defined and stored, and the corresponding image editing information is identified by reading the marking image to determine the editing contents. May be.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the area designation mode is a designated range enlargement function (step S72). If the area designation mode is other than the designated range enlargement function ("No" in step S72), the editing area range is output. The process proceeds to a process of determining whether or not the size (printing paper (sheet) size) is exceeded (step S81).

  If the area designation mode is the designated range enlargement function (“Yes” in step S72), the process proceeds to processing for determining whether or not the image in which the edit area range has been enlarged exceeds the output size (printing paper size) (step S72). S73).

  If the image in which the editing area range is enlarged exceeds the output size (printing paper size) (“Yes” in step S73), it is determined whether or not the designated type is “Auto” (step S74). If it is “Auto” (“Yes” in step S74), the designated magnification is automatically corrected so that the image in which the editing area range is enlarged fits in the output size (printing paper size) (step S75). On the other hand, if the designated type is not “Auto” (“No” in step S74), the designated magnification is given priority, and the portion where the image in which the editing area range is enlarged exceeds the output size (printing paper size) is regarded as an invalid area. The invalid area is not output (printed) (step S121).

  If the image in which the editing area range is enlarged does not exceed the output size (printing paper size) (“No” in step S73), the image editing conditions acquired from the storage unit are used as they are (step S111).

  If the editing area range exceeds the output size (printing paper size) (“Yes” in step S81), it is determined whether or not the designated magnification is “Auto” (step S82), and the designated magnification is “Auto”. If there is (“Yes” in step S82), the designated length is automatically corrected so that the editing area range fits in the output size (printing paper size) (step S83). On the other hand, when the designated magnification is not “Auto” (“No” in step S82), the designated length is given priority, and the portion where the editing area range exceeds the output size (printing paper size) is regarded as an invalid area. Output (printing) is not performed (step S101).

  If the editing area range does not exceed the output size (printing paper size) (“No” in step S81), the image editing conditions acquired from the storage unit are used as they are (step S91).

  Finally, the corrected image editing conditions are stored in the storage unit (step S76).

  Even if the marking of the user is shifted due to the adjustment process of the editing area range, the image editing process can be realized. However, according to the present embodiment, the automatic correction function is realized, but the correction means is not particularly defined.

<Area image editing process>
FIG. 9 schematically shows six specific examples of area image editing processing.

  In FIG. 9, operation panel setting information (designation mode, designation type, designation length (RX, RY), designation magnification) is shown in the upper part, and the designation type, designation length, designation magnification, and An image showing the editing area EA taking into account the center point (XM, YM) of the editing target surface with a broken line is shown, setting information after adjusting the area range is shown below, and setting information after adjusting the area range is shown below. The image edited and processed based on is shown. In the edited image, a solid line is shown to clarify the editing area range indicated by a broken line, but the solid line of the editing area is not printed in the actual edited image.

  The first example is a case where the area designation mode is a designated range deletion function and the edit area range does not exceed the output size (printing paper size) (“No” in step S81 in FIG. 8). In this embodiment, the image editing conditions acquired from the storage unit are used as they are (step S91 in FIG. 8), and an image from which the editing area has been deleted is output.

  The second example is a case where the area designation mode is a designated range deletion function and the edit area range exceeds the output size (printing paper size) (“Yes” in step S81). In this embodiment, since the designated magnification is “Auto”, the designated length is automatically corrected so that the editing area range fits in the output size (printing paper size) (step S83). In this embodiment, the specified length RX in the main scanning direction is corrected from 20 mm to 16 mm, and the specified length RY in the sub-scanning direction is corrected from 10 mm to 8 mm. Therefore, an image from which the corrected editing area range is deleted is output.

  The third example is a case where the area designation mode is the designated range extraction copy function and the edit area range does not exceed the output size (printing paper size) (“No” in step S81). According to this embodiment, the image editing conditions acquired from the storage unit are used as they are (step S91), and only images within the editing area range are copied.

  The fourth example is a case where the area designation mode is the designated range extraction copy function and the edit area range exceeds the output size (printing paper size) (“Yes” in step S81). According to this embodiment, since the designated magnification is set to 100%, priority is given to the designated length, a portion where the edit area range exceeds the output size (printing paper size) is regarded as an invalid area, and the invalid area portion is output (printed). ) (Step S101).

  The fifth example is a case where the area designation mode is a designated range enlargement function and an image obtained by enlarging the edit area range exceeds the output size (printing paper size) (“Yes” in step S73). According to this embodiment, since the designated type is a square type, the designated magnification is given priority, and the portion where the image in which the editing area range is enlarged exceeds the output size (printing paper size) is regarded as an invalid area, and the invalid area portion. Is not output (printed) (step S121).

  A sixth example is a case where the area designation mode is a designated range enlargement function and an image obtained by enlarging the edit area range exceeds the output size (printing paper size) (“Yes” in step S73). According to this embodiment, since the designated type is Auto, the designated magnification is automatically corrected so that an image in which the editing area range is enlarged fits in the output size (printing paper size) (step S75). According to this embodiment, the specified magnification is corrected from 200% to 150%.

  As described above, according to the invention according to the first embodiment, it is only necessary to read both sides of the document and mark the opposite side of the document surface to be output, so it is necessary to directly mark the document surface to be output. This eliminates the contamination of the original.

  In addition, it is possible to realize a desired image editing process by instructing the image editing conditions first and the user pressing the start key only once. Since it is not necessary to use the toner, it is possible to suppress the toner consumption and prevent the lifetime from being reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the marking image M is formed at one place on the back surface Db has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and as described above, a plurality of types of marking images M1 to Mn are included. It is possible to designate the desired edit area by performing the selective image editing process by forming it in advance on the back surface Db of the desired edit area and selecting one of the marking images M1 to Mn. Hereinafter, a case where a plurality of types of marking images M1 to Mn are formed in advance on the back surface Db of each desired edit area will be described in detail as a second embodiment.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the common parts will be omitted.

<Marking image>
FIG. 10 exemplarily shows five types of marking images M1 to M5 used for different image editing processes.

  The marking image M1 is an example of a “filled” mark, corresponds to the marking image M of the first embodiment, and is a rectangular filled mark. The marking image M1 is not limited to a rectangle, but a shape having a predetermined length or more in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the document D (geometric shape (including triangles, squares (including rectangles, trapezoids, parallelograms, etc.)), 6, 8, etc.), circle, ellipse, arbitrary shape), and the inside of the shape may be filled with a different color from the original D. The predetermined length (width) in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction may be a length that can be distinguished from diagonal lines, vertical lines, and horizontal lines of a marking image M3-M5 described later.

  The marking image M <b> 2 is an example of a “hollow” mark, and is an elliptical hollow mark. The marking image M2 is not limited to an ellipse, but has a shape (geometric shape (including triangles, squares (including rectangles, trapezoids, parallelograms, etc.)), six or more in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction of the document D. Image, eight strokes, etc.), circle, ellipse, arbitrary shape), and the inside of the shape may be different from the outline defining the shape, for example, the color of the document D itself.

  The marking image M3 is exemplary panel setting information of a “diagonal line” mark, and is a diagonal line mark that rises to the right. The marking image M3 is not limited to rising to the right, and may be a diagonal line rising to the left. The angle of the diagonal line that can be defined from the main scanning direction and / or the sub scanning direction of the diagonal line may be an angle that can be distinguished from a vertical line and a horizontal line of a marking image M4-M5 described later.

  The marking image M4 is an example of a “vertical line” mark, and is a linear mark that is long in the main scanning direction of the document D. The marking image M5 is an example of a “horizontal line” mark, and is a linear mark that is long in the sub-scanning direction of the document D.

  The marking image is not limited to the above M1 to M5, and any marking image can be used as long as it can be distinguished between the marking images by the digital multi-function peripheral 1. For example, a “cross” symbol that combines a diagonal line that rises right and a diagonal line that rises left Alternatively, a symbol such as a “cross” symbol combining vertical lines and horizontal lines, characters, or the like may be used.

<Specified marker shape>
FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the area detection process. In FIG. 5 (1), which is the same schematic diagram of the first embodiment, only a single marking image M is formed on the back surface Db. In this embodiment, however, the marking image is as shown in FIG. 11 (2). M1 (same as marking image M: filled mark) and marking image M2 (empty mark) are formed, and two editing areas EA can be set for the editing target surface Da.

  In order to enable designation of a desired editing area EA, a “designated marker shape” is added to the panel setting information (image editing conditions) described in the first embodiment, and the user operates the panel operation unit 7. Thus, it is possible to input a marking image corresponding to the desired editing area EA in the “designated marker shape” (FIG. 11 (1)).

  The input method of the “designated marker shape” by the user may be any means that allows the apparatus to identify the selected marking images M1 to M5. For example, the marking images M1 to M5 are displayed on a panel setting screen (not shown). It is possible to use a method of displaying an input number, a symbol, and the like, and allowing the user to key-in the input number, the symbol, and the like.

  In this embodiment, since “filled” is designated as the “designated marker shape” as shown in FIG. 11A, detection of the designated “filled” marking image M1 (same as the marking image M) is detected. Processing is performed, and editing processing is executed on the editing area EA corresponding to the marking image M1 based on the other panel setting information regarding the detected marking image M1. In FIG. 11, panel setting information (designation mode, designation type, designation length (RX, RY), designation magnification) other than “designated marker shape” is the same as that in the first embodiment, and is the same as in FIG. 5. Editing processing is performed, and as a result, the same output as the image after editing shown in FIG. 5 (3) is output (FIG. 11 (4)).

<Marking image shape determination processing>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the area detection process (steps S18 and S22 in FIG. 4) in the area designation mode. In the present embodiment, since it is necessary to detect the marking image designated by the “designated marker shape” of the panel setting information from the back surface Db, the shape determination process of the marking image formed on the back surface Db is performed in FIG. Step S42b, which is a combination of the process and the process of step S42 of FIG. Details of step S42b will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating in detail step S42b of FIG.
First, reading of one line of the document surface Db to which the marking image is added is started (step S201). Next, a marking image detection process is performed (step S203). The detection method is not particularly limited.

  Next, it is determined whether or not all the data for one line has been read (step S205). If all the data for one line has not been read (“No” in step S205), the marking image The detection process is repeated (step S203).

  When all the data for one line has been read (“Yes” in step S205), the marking image shape determination process is performed (step S207).

  In the marking image shape determination process, a polar coordinate system histogram is created for a detected image whose origin is the center of gravity of the detected image, and figure recognition is performed based on the polar coordinate system histogram (see, for example, Patent Document 3). ) And raster scanning of image data, the position information of the detected image data is calculated, and graphic recognition is performed based on the positional relationship between the lines of the detected position information (for example, patent literature) 4), etc., and any method can be used as long as the shape can be determined.

  By setting in advance on the operation panel unit 7 which side of the document surface the marking image is given, the reading resolution of the image data on the back surface Db is determined from the reading resolution of the image data on the editing target surface Da. Reading at low resolution is also possible, and processing efficiency can be improved, for example, by increasing the processing speed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is not necessary to specify the original surface even when reading with the same reading resolution.

  Next, it is determined whether or not all lines have been read (step S209). If all lines have not been read ("No"), the same process is repeated from the process of starting reading one line (step S201). ).

  When all the lines have been read (“Yes” in step S209), the area center coordinates (Xm, Ym) of the selected shape designated in advance from the operation panel unit 7 are calculated, and the calculation results are stored in the storage unit. The process proceeds to the recording process (step S2011). Note that the calculation method of the area center coordinates (Xm, Ym) of the selected shape is not limited, and the center position in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction can be obtained as described in the first embodiment. If it is.

  In the above flowchart, the case where all lines are read is shown. However, when a marking image of a selected shape is read, the subsequent reading process can be omitted, and the marking image detection processing time can be shortened.

  In the case of FIG. 11, since “filled” is designated as the “designated marker shape” in the panel setting information as shown in FIG. 11 (1), the marking image M1 is automatically determined, and the marking image M2 is It will be ignored. The calculation processing of the area center coordinates (Xm, Ym) of the marking image M1 and the editing processing of the image to be edited (FIGS. 11 (3) and (4)) are the same as those in the first embodiment, and will be described. Omitted.

  FIG. 14 schematically shows six specific examples of area image editing processing. The difference from FIG. 9 is that a “designated marker shape” field is added, and “designated marker shape” designation is made. The contents are "filled", "filled", "empty", "upward diagonal line", "vertical line", and "horizontal line" in the order of the first example to the sixth example. The case where M1-M6 is formed in the same location (the same position as the marking image M of 1st Embodiment) is shown.

  In addition, since the image storage unit 15 stores the image data of the editing target surface Da and the back surface Db by one reading process of the document D (the editing target surface Da and the back surface Db), 2 for the same document D is stored. During the second processing, panel setting information (designated marker shape, designated mode, designated type, designated length (RX, RY), designated magnification) is rewritten, and editing execution instructions are input, so that multiple types of editing work can be performed without re-reading the original. Can be executed.

  With the above configuration, in addition to the operational effects of the first embodiment, a plurality of types of marking images M1 to Mn are formed on the back surface Db of the document D in advance, so that the selection can be made among a plurality of locations on the editing target surface Da. A single area can be edited, and the versatility of editing can be improved.

  In addition, since the image storage unit 15 stores the image data of the editing target surface Da and the back surface Db by one reading process of the document D (the editing target surface Da and the back surface Db), 2 for the same document D is stored. During the second processing, panel setting information (designated marker shape, designated mode, designated type, designated length (RX, RY), designated magnification) is rewritten, and editing execution instructions are input, so that multiple types of editing work can be performed without re-reading the original. Can be executed.

  Further, by inputting “panel setting information” before the reading process of the document D, the editing output is automatically performed after the reading is started, so that the user can leave the front of the apparatus. Note that at least the designated marker shape may be designated before the document D reading process, and other panel setting information may be designated after the document D reading process.

  In the second embodiment, the panel setting information by the user, more specifically, the case where the input of “designated marker shape” is performed before the reading process of the document D is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The reading process of D may be performed simultaneously (parallel processing), or “designated marker shape” may be input after the reading process of document D. A case where “designated marker shape” is input after the back surface Db reading process will be described below as a third embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the difference from the second embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the common parts will be omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating the area detection process. In the present embodiment, the back side Db (FIG. 15 (1)) is read using the image reading device 3, and all markings formed on the back side Db using the image processing unit 9, the image storage unit 15, and the control unit 17 are used. The image is detected, and all the detected marking images are displayed on a display panel (not shown) (FIG. 15 (2)).

  While displaying the detected marking image on the display panel, the panel setting information including the designation corresponding to the desired editing area of the editing target surface Da from the detected marking image (designated marker shape, designated mode, designated The user can input the type, specified length (RX, RY), and specified magnification). After inputting the panel setting information, the same processing as in the above embodiment is performed.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining step S42b in FIG. 12 in detail. The difference from FIG. 13 is a step (step for displaying all marking images detected between step S209 and step S211 on the display panel. S210a) and a marking image input step (step S210b) by the user.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, since all the detected marking images are displayed on the panel, the detection status of the marking images can be grasped. Therefore, in addition to the operational effects of the first and second embodiments, erroneous editing output based on erroneous detection of the device can be eliminated. For example, even if the ambiguity remains like a marking image written by the user freehand, it can be confirmed via the panel display before the editing process whether the device is correctly detected. Can be corrected and reliable editing processing can be performed.

  In the second and third embodiments, the case where any one of the marking images M1 to Mn formed on the back surface Db is selected has been shown, but a configuration in which a plurality of marking images are selected and designated. It goes without saying that it is also good. Such a case will be described below as a fourth embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment, the difference from the second embodiment described above will be mainly described, and the description of the common parts will be omitted.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating the area detection process. In FIG. 11, which is the same schematic diagram of the second embodiment, only the panel setting information related to the marking image marking image M1 is input from the marking image marking image M1 and the marking image M2. In FIG. Panel setting information related to M2 can also be input.

  That is, the panel setting information related to the marking image M2 is that the designated marker shape is “out”, the designated mode is “delete”, the designated type is “circle”, the designated length is “RX = 10 mm”, and the designated magnification is “100%”. Based on the panel setting information, an editing process for deleting the designated area EA2 (a circle having a radius of 10 mm from the center point (XM2, YM2)) is performed together with the editing process for the designated area EA1, as shown in FIG. In this way, an image after edit processing in which the designated area EA1 and the designated area EA2 are blank (deleted) is obtained.

  By making it possible to set a plurality of pieces of panel setting information, it is possible to perform a complex editing operation combining a plurality of editing processes on the editing target surface Da only by reading the editing target surface Da and the back surface Db once. In particular, it is possible to reduce the complicated processing of cutting and pasting according to the present embodiment, as compared with the conventional case where editing output is performed for each editing area and desired editing is performed by cutting and pasting them. Since unnecessary copying is unnecessary, wasteful consumption of paper and toner can be suppressed, and a plurality of reading processes and a plurality of output processes can be performed by one reading process and one output process. Since the burden is reduced, the life of the apparatus can be extended, and the editing processing time can be greatly shortened.

  It should be noted that the same effect as described above can be achieved by making it possible to set a plurality of pieces of panel setting information in FIG. 15 (3) relating to the third embodiment.

  The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to be aware of whether the image data to be output is monochrome or color by marking on the opposite side of the document surface to be output. A desired image editing process can be realized without specifying.

  The image editing apparatus according to the present embodiment is an apparatus and system that forms and outputs an edited image on a sheet by editing an image formed on a paper surface (partial deletion, partial enlargement / reduction, negative / positive reversal, etc.). Is suitable.

1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a digital (color) multifunction peripheral 1 as an image editing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image editing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic flowchart of the image edit process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the area designation | designated mode which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the area detection process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart of an area detection process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the marker center position calculation process process of the edit area which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the range adjustment process process of the edit area which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the area image editing process which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the marking images M1-M5 which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the area detection process which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart of an area detection process according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the marker center position calculation process process of the edit area which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the area image editing process which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the area detection process which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 12 is a flowchart of an area detection process according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of the area detection process which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital color MFP (image editing device)
3 Image Reading Device 5 Image Forming Device 7 Operation Panel Unit 9 Image Processing Unit 11 Area Detection Unit 13 Image Editing Unit 15 Image Storage Unit D Document Da Edit Target Surface (First Surface)
Db Back side (2nd side)
M, M1-M5 marking image (second image)
EA, EA2 editing area (editing area)
(Xm, Ym), (Xm2, Ym2) Center point of the marking image M (edit position information)
(XM, YM), (XM2, YM2) Center point of editing area EA (editing position information)

Claims (14)

Image reading means for reading a first surface on which a first image, which is an image to be edited on a document, is formed and a second surface on which a second image is formed on the back surface, and outputting first and second image data. When,
An image editing apparatus comprising: editing processing means for editing the first image data based on the second image data;
The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing processing means acquires editing position information relating to an editing area in the first image from the position of the second image on the second surface. The second image is a different image for each editing content,
The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing processing unit acquires the editing content of the first image from the second image. Input means for inputting edit contents for editing the first image;
The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing processing unit edits the first image data based on the second image data and the editing content. A plurality of the second images having different shapes are formed on the second surface,
Input means for inputting setting information including designation information for designating one of the plurality of second images and editing contents for editing the first image;
The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing processing unit edits the first image data based on the second image data designated by the designation information and the editing content. Multiple installation information can be set for different specified information,
The image editing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the editing processing unit edits a plurality of portions of the first image data based on the plurality of setting information.   6. The image editing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the designation information is input to the input unit before the second surface is read by the image reading unit. A display unit for displaying all second image data output from the image reading unit;
6. The image editing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the designation information is input to the input unit after all the second image data is displayed on the display unit.   The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image is formed on a back side of the editing area.   The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image is information indicating a center position of the editing area.   The image editing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second image is formed on a center position of the editing area. Storage means for storing image data;
11. The first image data is stored in the storage unit when the first image is read before the second image by the image reading unit. The image editing apparatus according to any one of the above.   When the second image is read before the first image by the image reading unit, the editing is performed without storing the first image data output from the image reading unit in the reading unit. 12. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein editing is performed by a processing unit.   When the second image is read before the first image by the image reading unit, the image reading unit reads only a part of the first image. Item 13. The image editing device according to any one of Items 1 to 12.   14. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit has different reading resolutions when reading the first surface and reading the second surface.

Images