JP4785639B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program that combine and output information added by a user to a sheet and an image to be combined .

Conventionally, it is known to print an order sheet having an image selection area and a free-drawn area that can be handwritten with respect to accessible image data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). One image is selected from the image selection area of the printed order sheet, and an order sheet that can be freely created by the user, such as handwriting or pasting something on the free drawing area, is entered. The entered order sheet is read, and the image selection area and the free drawing area are optically read and analyzed. An image processing system that synthesizes and outputs one selected image data and one free drawing area in accordance with the analyzed data is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-244736

  However, in the image processing system described in Patent Document 1, the portion created in the free drawing area can be combined with only one selected image. That is, the selected image and the image of the free drawing area can be combined only at 1: 1.

  For example, in the case of printing a New Year's card or the like, consider the case where Mr. A prints image 1 and Mr. B prints image 2 and the images to be combined may be the same. In that case, two order sheets are printed, image 1 is selected as the first sheet, a free drawing area is created and read, combined, and printed. In the second order sheet, image 2 is selected, created using the same free drawing area as that of the first image, read, combined, and printed. However, there is a problem that this work is very complicated. Further, there is a problem that the complexity becomes higher as the number of images increases.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program capable of combining and outputting information added to a sheet by a user and each of a plurality of images to be combined. .

The image processing apparatus of the present invention causes a printing apparatus to print a first image for specifying an image to be combined among a plurality of images and a second image for a user to add information on a sheet. Print control means, acquisition means for acquiring a read image obtained by reading a sheet printed by the print control means, and a read image corresponding to the first image acquired by the acquisition means And a determination unit for determining an image to be combined among the plurality of images, and the second image included in the read image acquired by the acquisition unit is added to the sheet on which the second image is printed. Output means for combining and outputting the information and the image determined to be the synthesis target by the determination means, and the output means is configured to output a plurality of images as the synthesis target by the determination means. The information added by the user to the sheet on which the second image is printed and each of the plurality of images to be combined can be combined and output individually for each of the combined images. It is characterized by being.

According to the present invention, information added to a sheet by a user and each of a plurality of images to be combined can be combined and output.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention is the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an MFP 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The MFP 100 is a multi-function peripheral device and has both a scanning function, a printing function, and a copy function.

  The MFP 100 includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a printer 3, an SRAM 4, a DRAM 5, an image processor 6, an image sensor 7, an operation panel 8, a display 9, a PC I / F 10, and a PC 11. .

  The CPU 1 is a system control unit of the MFP 100 and controls the entire MFP 100. The ROM 2 stores a system control program for the MFP 100.

  CPU 1 executes various operations related to MFP 100 based on a control program stored in ROM 2. Such a control program of the CPU 1 is not limited to the one stored in the ROM 2 but may be one stored in an external storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM. Alternatively, this may be taken into a RAM (for example, SRAM 4) of MFP 100 by a dedicated reading device, and CPU 1 may decode and execute it.

  The printer 3 prints the input image data on a recording sheet. The SRAM 4 mainly stores registration data and the like of the MFP 100, and the DRAM 5 mainly stores image data.

  The image processor 6 performs various types of image processing on the image data input by the image sensor 7. The image sensor 7 is a contact-type reading sensor that reads an image on a document.

  The operation panel 8 has a display 9 for displaying the state of the MFP 100 and the like, and confirms the state of the MFP 100 through an operation instruction input from the operator, various data registration, and the display 9.

  The PC I / F 10 is an interface that connects the MFP 100 and the PC 11, and the PC 11 is a host computer that changes various setting data of the MFP 100 and requests activation of various operations via the PC I / F 10.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image reading unit 7 a including the image sensor 7 in the MFP 100.

  The image reading unit 7 a includes a document setting position 21, a document detection sensor 22, a paper path 23, an ADF reading position 24, an image sensor home position 25, an image sensor 26, and a document table 27. The image reading unit 7a includes a document abutting position 29, a black and white reference plate 21a, and a document table pressure plate 21b.

  The image reading unit 7a includes a flat bed reading unit that moves the image sensor 26 and reads a document, and an ADF reading unit that moves and reads the document. In the flat bed reading unit, the monochrome reference plate 21 a is a reference plate for generating shading data of the image sensor 26. The black-and-white reference plate 21a is composed of two color portions, a white portion and a black portion, and acquires shading data of each color by turning on or off the image sensor 26 under the white portion.

  When the document 28 is set at the document setting position 21, the document detection sensor 22 detects that the document 28 has been set. When the original detection sensor 22 detects the original, the flatbed reading is not performed and the ADF reading is started.

  The image sensor home position 25 is a position where the image sensor is always waiting when the apparatus is in a standby state. The image sensor 26 reads the document 28 loaded on the document table 27 while moving it. The document table 27 is a document stacking table made of transparent glass.

  For the automatic paper feed reading unit, shading data is acquired in the same manner as the flat bed reading unit.

  The image sensor 26 moves to the ADF reading position 24 and discharges the original to the paper path 23 while moving the original, so that the original is read when the original passes over the ADF reading position 24.

  The document abutting position 29 is an abutting position serving as a reference for arranging the leading end of the document 28 serving as a reference for correctly loading the document on the document table 27.

  The pressure plate 21b is a lid that prevents external light from entering when reading a document. The inside is made of a white sheet.

  When the ADF reading is completed, the image sensor 26 returns to the image sensor home position 25 and enters a standby state.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the photo navigation sheet 30 that is output when the MFP 100 issues a handwritten composite sheet output instruction.

  FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of the above embodiment.

  The layout of the photo navigation sheet 30 is defined in a format stored in the ROM 2 and is output in combination with image data accessible to the format.

  When the handwriting composition is instructed in step S2 of FIG. 6, the photo navigation sheet 30 has a size, type, and options (date printing / automatic photo correction / face bright correction / red-eye correction) as shown in FIG. A check box 31 for marking a selection of (correction) is provided. A thumbnail image 32 stored in accessible image data is displayed.

  In step S3, there is provided a check box 33 for selecting whether or not to print, how many images are to be printed, and marking. In the check box 33, the number of output images is limited to three, but the number of images is not limited to this, and any number may be used. In the method of selecting the number of sheets by the mark method, the number specifying means does not need to be a mark, such as a method of inputting and inputting the number of sheets using 7 segments.

  The photo navigation sheet 30 includes a check box 34 that includes a check box 34 for selecting whether to synthesize an image by reading a handwritten composite sheet, and to synthesize an image of a handwritten composite sheet. Select the paper feed slot (front feed or back feed). Further, it is composed of an area 35 in which a method for reading a sheet is described, and a mark 36 having information such as whether the type of the sheet is the photo navigation sheet 30 or the number of the photo navigation sheet 30. ing.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a handwritten composite sheet 40 that is output when the MFP 100 issues a photo navigation sheet 30 or a handwritten composite sheet output instruction.

  The layout of the handwritten composite sheet 40 is defined in a format stored in the ROM 2. The handwritten composite sheet 40 includes an area 41 for displaying the number of handwritten composite sheets 40, a sheet number display area, and a free drawing area 42 in which a user can freely write a message. The handwritten composite sheet 40 includes a mark 43 having information indicating the number of the handwritten composite sheet 40 and the type of the sheet is the handwritten composite sheet 40.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of operation panel 8 of MFP 100.

  The operation panel 8 includes a power key 51, a memory use display LED 52, an error display LED 53, a mode switching key 54, a paper feed method display LED 55, a stop key 56, and a color start key or monochrome start key 57. . The operation panel 8 includes a trimming setting key 58, a copy magnification setting key 59, an OK key 60, and a display 61.

  The power key 51 is used to turn on / off the power of the apparatus.

  When the memory use display LED 52 is blinking, it means that the MFP 100 is using the memory. If the error display LED 53 is blinking, it means that the MFP 100 is in an error state.

  A mode switching key 54 is a key for switching a mode such as a copy mode or a scanner mode when the MFP 100 is in a standby state.

  The paper feed method display LED 55 means that paper is fed from the front if the front paper feed side is lit, and that paper is fed from the back if the rear paper feed side is lit.

  A stop key 56 is a key for stopping the operation of the MFP 100. A color start key or monochrome start key 57 is a key for starting the operation of the MFP 100.

  The functions of the photo navigation sheet 30 and the date setting function of the MFP 100 can be used by the photo navigation sheet, date setting, and trimming setting key 58.

  The copy image quality, copy density adjustment, recording paper size, and copy magnification setting key 59 of the MFP 100 can be switched. With the OK key 60, settings of various setting items of the MFP 100 are determined. The state of MFP 100 and setting items can be displayed on display 61.

  When handwriting composition is instructed by the operation panel 8, the user reads the accessible image data and the format stored in the ROM 2, and the user selects an image to be output to the sheet (for example, a date or a file number). In step S6, a photo navigation sheet 30 as shown in FIG. 3 is printed by the first output means.

  Next, the handwritten composite sheet 40 is input at step S5 how many handwritten sheets are required, and the second output means outputs the input number of sheets at step S6. The user enters necessary information in the photo navigation sheet 30 output by the first output means and the handwritten sheet output by the second output means.

  First, in step S7, the photo navigation sheet 30 determines whether to select the printing paper type, border / no border, red-eye correction, automatic photo correction, face bright correction in the selection area 31 such as printing conditions. Select whether to print the date.

  Next, an image to be printed is selected from an area 32 where thumbnail images of accessible images are displayed, and the number of prints is selected in a selection area 33 for the number of images to be printed. In the check box 33, the number of printed sheets can be selected in the range of 1 to 3 sheets.

  Select whether to synthesize the image of the handwritten composition sheet 40 when handwritten composition is desired in the area 34 for selecting whether to perform handwriting composition, or how many handwritten composition sheets 40 should be used if handwritten composition is performed. Let

  In the first embodiment, the number of images to be printed and the number of handwritten composite sheets 40 are 1 to 3, but the number is not limited to this.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of selection numbers arranged on the handwritten composite sheet.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the selection number may be increased to increase the number of selected sheets, or vice versa. Whether the paper feeding method is printed from the front side or the back side is selected in the area 35 for selecting whether to feed another sheet of the photo navigation sheet 30 (front feeding / rear feeding) or the photo navigation sheet 30. And select whether to print another sheet of this navigation sheet.

  Next, a handwritten navigation sheet (free drawing area) is entered. In step S9, the user creates an image (handwritten character, magazine clipping, etc.) to be combined with the portion 42 of the handwritten navigation sheet 40. The creation operation is executed for the number of output handwritten composite sheets 40.

  When the necessary items on the photo navigation sheet 30 and the handwritten navigation sheet 40 have been entered, the document 28 is set on the flat bed document table 27 or the ADF document setting position 21, and the sheet 30 is read. As a method for setting a document, in the case of ADF, the photo navigation sheet 30 is on the top, and when there are a plurality of photo navigation sheets 30, the handwritten composite sheet 40 is placed under the plurality of photo navigation sheets 30. In the case of a flat bed, the photo navigation sheet 30 is placed.

  In step S10, when the sheet is set at the ADF original setting position 21, the original detection sensor 22 detects that the original 28 has been set, and reading is started by pressing the color start key or the monochrome start key 57. To do.

  In steps S11 and S12, if the original detection sensor 22 does not detect that the original has been set, the original placed on the flat bed is read. First, the photo navigation sheet 30 is continuously read and the mark is optically recognized. In step S13, the read data is analyzed one by one. In step S14, it is determined whether the photo navigation sheet 30 is read first.

  If the photo navigation sheet 30 has not been read in step S15, the process ends in error in step S21. In step S16, the number of images to be printed in the accessible image data 32 displayed on the photo navigation sheet 30 is selected, and whether or not the mark check box 33 is checked is checked for each image. To search.

  If the check box 33 is not checked as a result of the search, the process ends in error at step S21. If any one of the images is checked in the check box 33, the read data (print paper type, various corrections, number of prints, etc.) is stored in step S17.

  In step S18, it is determined whether there is a next page. In the case of ADF, if it is detected by the document detection sensor 22 that the document has been set, the next page is read.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen for selecting whether or not there is a next page when scanned on a flat bed.

  In the case of a flat bed, as shown in FIG. 10, in step S18, it is selected whether there is a next page on the display 61. If there is a next page, the next page is read.

  The determination of whether or not there is a next page is an area having information such as a barcode 36, and has information indicating the number of the photo navigation sheet 30 and the last sheet. Then, it can be determined by searching for the mark.

  If the handwritten composite sheet 40 is not read in step S19 or S31 in the data read by the photo navigation sheet 30 even though there is a mark in the selected area for handwritten composition for each image, step In S21, the process ends with an error.

  In step S20, if there is no mark in the selection area for handwriting synthesis for each image, the number of images selected in the image printing number selection area are printed according to the printing conditions. If the data read in steps S32 and S33 is the photo navigation sheet 30, the above search is performed. If the data is not the photo navigation sheet 30, it is determined whether the handwritten composite sheet 40 has been read.

  If it is not the handwritten composite sheet 40, the process ends in error in step S37. If it is determined in steps S34 and S35 that the sheet is the handwritten composite sheet 40, the read content is temporarily stored in step S36. In step S38, it is determined whether or not there is a next page. If the document is ADF, the next page is read if the document detection sensor 22 detects that the document has been set. In the case of a flat bed, whether or not there is a next page is selected on the display 61, and when the next page is selected, the next page is read.

  When the next page is read, a search similar to the above is performed. If there is no page to be read finally, in step S45, the data read and temporarily stored by the photo navigation sheet 30 and the data read by the handwritten composite sheet 40 are combined. If it is determined in step S41 that there is no mark in the selection area to be combined by handwriting in the data read from the photo navigation sheet 30, the process ends in error in step S46. There is a mark in the selection area for whether or not to perform handwriting composition, and printing is performed with which sheet to compose.

  For example, in accessible images A, C, and R, there is an instruction to combine with the image of the first handwritten composite sheet in step S42, and in images B, E, and M, the second handwritten composite sheet in step S43. Consider a case where there is an instruction to synthesize an image. In this case, in step S45, the image data accessible in the respective images and the data drawn on the handwriting synthesis sheet 40 are synthesized and output.

  According to the above embodiment, an image drawn on the handwritten composite sheet 40 can be easily combined with a plurality of accessible images.

For example, for Mr. A, the image Z and the first composite image are combined and printed, for Mr. B, the image Y and the first composite image are combined and printed, and for Mr. C, the image X and No. 2 combined image are combined and printed, and the combining and printing operations are easy.

1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an MFP 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image reading unit 7a including an image sensor 7 in the MFP 100. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a photo navigation sheet 30 that is output when a handwritten composite sheet output instruction is issued in the MFP 100. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a handwritten composite sheet 40 that is output when there is a photo navigation sheet 30 or handwritten composite sheet output instruction in the MFP 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation panel 8 of the MFP 100. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the said Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the said Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the said Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the said Example. It is a figure which shows the screen which selects whether there exists a next page. It is a figure which shows the example of the selection number arrange | positioned on a handwritten synthetic sheet.

Explanation of symbols

100: MFP,
1 ... CPU,
2 ... ROM,
3 ... Printer,
4 ... SRAM,
5 ... DRAM,
6 ... Image processor,
7 ... Image sensor,
8 ... Control panel,
9 ... Display,
10 ... PC I / F,
11 ... PC,
30 ... Photo navigation sheet,
40: Handwritten composite sheet.

Claims (8)

Print control means for causing a printing apparatus to print a first image for specifying an image to be combined among a plurality of images and a second image for a user to add information;
Obtaining means for obtaining a read image obtained by reading a sheet printed by the print control means with a reading device;
Determination means for determining an image to be combined among the plurality of images based on the read image corresponding to the first image acquired by the acquisition means;
The information added by the user to the sheet on which the second image is printed, which is included in the read image acquired by the acquisition unit, and the image that is determined to be combined by the determination unit are combined and output. Output means;
Have
The output means includes information added by the user to the sheet on which the second image is printed and a plurality of images to be combined when the plurality of images are determined to be combined by the determining means. And an image processing apparatus characterized in that each of the plurality of synthesized images can be individually output . The first image printed by the print control means includes a selection area for allowing the user to select information to be combined, which is added by the user, corresponding to each of the images to be combined.
The determination means is selected by the user based on the read image corresponding to the sheet on which the first image is printed, corresponding to each of the image to be combined among the plurality of images and the image to be combined. To determine the information to be synthesized,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the output unit synthesizes the synthesis target image and the synthesis target information corresponding to the synthesis target image according to the determination by the determination unit. The first image printed by the print control means includes a selection area for allowing the user to select a sheet to be synthesized from a plurality of sheets on which the second image is printed. A sheet selected by the user among the plurality of sheets is determined based on a read image corresponding to a sheet on which one image is printed, and the output unit is determined to be selected by the user by the determination unit The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information added to is combined with the image to be combined as information to be combined . The first image printed by the print control means includes a selection area in which the order in which the plurality of sheets on which the second image is printed is read by the reading device can be selected.
The determination means is based on the read image corresponding to the sheet on which the first image is printed, and is read by the reading device in the order selected by the user from among the plurality of sheets on which the second image is printed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the read sheet is determined as a sheet selected by a user . If it is determined by the determining means that the information to be combined corresponding to the image to be combined has not been selected, the output means does not combine the image to be combined, The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the image processing apparatus outputs the image. 6. The image according to claim 1 , wherein the output unit causes the printing apparatus to print an image in which the image to be combined and the information to be combined are combined. Processing equipment. A print control step of causing the printing apparatus to print a first image for specifying an image to be combined among a plurality of images and a second image for the user to add information;
An acquisition step of acquiring a read image obtained by the reading device reading the sheet printed by the print control step;
A determination step of determining an image to be combined among the plurality of images based on the read image corresponding to the first image acquired by the acquisition step;
The information added by the user to the sheet on which the second image is printed, which is included in the read image acquired in the acquisition step, and the image determined to be the combination target in the determination step are combined and output. An output process;
Have
In the output step, when a plurality of images are determined to be combined by the determination step, information added by the user to the sheet on which the second image is printed and each of the plurality of images to be combined An image processing method characterized in that it is possible to individually output a plurality of synthesized images. A program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to claim 7.

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