JPH01231568A - Digital color copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To synthesize pictures and to facilitate the control of colors by applying the color correction to the picture data on an original and the picture data read out of a picture memory means and producing the pictures in a blank area. CONSTITUTION:The picture of a specific area EB included in an original picture FD is stored in a picture memory means 201 as the picture data having the gradation properties. Then the pictures are produced in a blank area of the picture FD drawn on a form based on the picture data read out of a monitor picture memory means 201. Thus the pictures are synthesized. In this case, a color correction means 202 applies the color correction to the data on the picture FD and the picture data read out of the means 201 independently of each other. The production of the picture FD and the production of the picture based on the picture data read out of the means 201 are carried out in the same print process or different print processes. Thus it is possible to synthesize the pictures in a prescribed area of the picture FD and also to facilitate the color control.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a digital color copying machine that is capable of easily synthesizing images and adjusting their colors.

[Conventional technology and its problems]

Digital color copying machines that convert an original image read by an image sensor into image data, which is a digital signal, and print (form) an image on paper using electrophotography according to this image data have been known for some time. It is.

In digital color copying machines, the most important point in terms of performance is color reproducibility, that is, forming an image with colors as close as possible to the colors of the original image.

A digital color copying machine is equipped with a color adjustment device for performing color adjustment, and the operator operates this color adjustment device to change the color and select a color that is considered to be close to the original, or It is possible to adjust the color to the operator's preference.

Furthermore, digital color copying machines are provided with an image memory that temporarily stores images in order to perform image composition.

However, conventionally, images are stored in image memory as binary data without gradation, so color correction cannot be performed on image data read out from image memory, and color correction cannot be performed when compositing images. It was difficult to make adjustments.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention makes it possible to combine another image into a predetermined area of a document image, and also to easily perform color adjustment by performing color correction on each of the B and B images. The purpose is to provide a digital color copying machine that is possible.

[Failure to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a means for making a predetermined area of image data of a document image a blank area, and a means for converting an image of a specific area in the document image into image data having gradation. image memory means for storing; color correction means for independently performing color correction on image data of the original image and image data read from the image memory means; and image data read from the image memory means. and means for forming an image in the blank area.

[For production]

The original image is formed on a sheet of paper with a predetermined area set as a blank area.

The image memory means stores an image of a specific area in the original image as image data having gradation. An image is formed in the blank area of the original image on the paper using the image data read from the image memory means, and image synthesis is thereby performed.

At this time, the color correction means independently performs color correction on the image data of the original image and the image data read from the image memory means.

The image formation of the original image and the image formation using the image data read from the image memory means are performed by the same printing process or by different printing processes.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of the copying machine.

This copying machine converts an original image read by an image sensor into image data, which is a digital signal, and prints (forms) an image on paper using an electrophotographic method in accordance with this image data.

In FIG. 1, the scanner 10 includes an exposure lamp 12 that illuminates the original, a rod lens array 13 that collects reflected light from the original, and a contact type CCD that converts the collected light into an electrical signal. It is equipped with a color image sensor 14.

The scanner 10 uses a motor 11 when reading an original image.
, and scans the original on the original platen 16.

The original image irradiated by the exposure lamp 12 is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 14, and converted by the signal processing section 20 into a print signal of one of yellow, magenta, cyan, or black.

In the print head section 31, the LD drive circuit 33 operates according to the print signal for each color from the signal processing section 20, and the semiconductor laser 34 blinks (see FIG. 3).

A laser beam generated from the semiconductor laser 34 is reflected by a reflecting mirror 37 and exposes the photosensitive drum 41.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is uniformly charged by a charging charger 43, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by receiving the above-described exposure.

This electrostatic latent image is developed into yellow, magenta, cyan, or black by one of the developing devices 45a to 45d.

The developed image is transferred by the transfer charger 46 onto a sheet of paper wrapped around the circumferential surface of the transfer drum 51.

After the above steps are repeated for at least one color of yellow, magenta, cyan, or black,
The paper is separated from the transfer drum 51 by the separation claw 47, fixed by the fixing device 48, and then transferred to the paper output tray 49.
The paper is ejected. Between these, the scanner 10
The scanning operation is repeated in synchronization with the rotational operation of the photosensitive drum 41 and the transfer drum 51.

Note that the paper is fed from a paper cassette 50, and is also fed by a chucking mechanism 52 provided on the transfer drum 51.
The tip is chucked by the holder to prevent positional deviation during transfer of each color. Further, 42 is an eraser lamp.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of various keys on the operation panel 70 provided on the top surface of the copying machine.

The operation panel 70 includes a print start key 71 for starting the copying operation, an interrupt key 72 for specifying interrupt copying, a clear/stop key 73, an all reset key 74, a numeric keypad 75, a set key 76, a cancel key 77, and a function key 74. keys 78 to 81, jog dials 82 and 83 for setting an area of interest or a specific area for image composition, which will be described later; a liquid crystal display for displaying a document image and various messages for setting an area of interest or a specific area; A display section 84 consisting of the following is provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the signal processing section 20. As shown in FIG.

In this figure, a monitor image memory circuit 201 and a monitor image tone setting circuit 202 are characteristic parts of the present invention, and are designed not to operate when a normal copying operation is performed. These will be described later.

R (red) photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 14,
Each image signal of the three colors G (green) and B (blue) is
Each signal is operationally amplified by a log amplifier 21 into a signal having a magnitude corresponding to the image density, and then converted into a digital signal by an AD converter 22. This digital signal is an image signal (image data) having gradation, and is then subjected to shading correction by the shading correction circuit 23.

Next, the masking processing circuit 24 performs R and G.

Image signals (print signals) for printing corresponding to each print color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and B (blank) are obtained from the image signals of the three colors of B, and are developed. It is generated according to the characteristics of the toner in the containers 45a to 45d.

-g from the original image signals R, G, B to print signals Y, M,
The conversion formula for converting to C is expressed as follows.

Each of the conversion coefficients a0° to a2□ is preset to an appropriate value by theory and experiment so that an image with a color as close as possible to the original image is printed.

Note that the print signal for which color is generated is determined by C.
It is determined sequentially by a control signal from the PU26.

The halftone processing circuit 25 binarizes the print signal from the masking processing circuit 24 using, for example, a dither method.
A binary suspect halftone signal is generated.

The clock generator 27 generates a horizontal synchronization signal 31 (Hsync
) and a dot clock signal 32 (CKA), which are supplied to each block of the signal processing section 20.

In the signal processing section 20, as shown in FIG. 6, image data from the image sensor 14 is serially processed in synchronization with the dot clock signal CKA. Furthermore, each time the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync is generated, the lines in the main scanning direction are updated.

In other words, it advances by a unit distance in the sub-scanning direction.

Now, as described above, although an appropriate print signal is generated by the masking processing circuit 24, it is difficult to suppress the difference in color between the original image and the print image to a very small value for all colors. However, in a certain limited chromaticity range, it is possible to minimize the difference by performing color tone yMI adjustment.

In this embodiment, an area (area of interest) in which the operator particularly wants to place emphasis on color reproduction is stored in the image RAM in the original image, and this area is read out multiple times, with each read image having a slightly different color. After making adjustments and reproducing the image in different positions on a sheet of paper in one printing process, the operator selects the image with the most desirable color.
It is configured to copy the entire document image based on the adjustment value (adjustment coefficient). Note that one printing process refers to one copying process for a monochrome image, and refers to a number of copying processes equal to the number of primary colors used for a color image.

Next, this color adjustment selection control (hereinafter referred to as mosaic monitor) will be explained.

The mosaic monitor is realized by a monitor image memory circuit 201 that stores a region of interest, and a monitor image tone setting circuit 202 that performs color adjustment in the printing process.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the monitor image memory circuit 201.

First, let's talk about how to set the attention area (specific area) in Chapter 10.
This will be explained with reference to the figures.

By placing a document on the document table 16 and performing a preliminary scan with the scanner 10, the display section 8 of the operation panel 70
The original image is roughly displayed in the original area ED of 4, and the main scanning direction (X direction) and sub-scanning direction (Y direction)
The indication lines LPY and LPX are displayed (see Figure 10).
. These instruction lines LPY.

The intersection of LPX becomes the center of the attention area EA. When the jog dials 82 and 83 are operated, these indication lines move vertically or horizontally, thereby determining the area of interest EA, and by pressing the nano 1-key 76, the area of interest is set.

The attention area EA is, for example, about 2 cm as shown in FIG.
It is the size of the four sides, and the coordinates of each vertex are sawn,
The information is transmitted to the CPU 26 via the communication system as necessary.

Note that the size of the attention area is determined by the monitor image memory circuit 20.
It is equal to the storage capacity of the image RAM 403 in 1.

It is possible to easily calculate which line the attention area EA is located in as seen from the leading edge of the image, and in which pixel range in the main scanning direction the attention area EA is located.

The CPU 26 sets this range as a write area setting signal in the write area determination circuit 406.

The write area determination circuit 406 is configured in the main scanning direction (X direction).
A discrimination circuit 406a for discriminating the area and a sub-scanning direction (Y
It consists of a discriminating circuit 406b that discriminates the area in the direction (direction).

Each discrimination circuit 406a, b counts the dot crotter signal CKA or the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync while the image leading edge signal S5 is being input, and compares whether the count value is within the write area setting range.

If in the main scanning direction or in the sub-scanning direction, the signal S3 (low active WEX signal) or the signal S4 (low active WEY signal) becomes "L", respectively.

Like the write area determination circuit 406 described above, the write address generation counter 405 includes a counter 405a in the main scanning direction and a counter 405b in the sub-scanning direction.
One counter 405a outputs the dot clock signal CKA when the signal S3 from the discrimination circuit 406a is "L".
is counted and an address related to the main scanning direction is generated. The other counter 405b is a discriminator circuit 406b.
When the signal S4 from the horizontal synchronizing signal H is “I,”
sync and generates an address related to the sub-scanning direction.The address related to the main scanning direction (counter 4
05a) is cleared by the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, and the address related to the sub-scanning direction (counter 4
05b) is cleared by the image leading edge signal S5 generated by the CPU 26.

The address generated in this manner is input to the address terminal of the image RAM 403 via the selector 404.

By the way, the gate 409 receives the above-mentioned signal 33°S4 and the dot clock signal 32 (CKA) through the inverter 4.
The signal S6 inverted by 10 and the data holding signal S7 from the CPU 26 are manually input, and when it is within the write area and the data holding signal S7 is 'LJ (active), the signal S6 is the output of the gate 409. It has started to appear in

Also, the signal S8 for switching between writing and reading is “
When the output of the gate 1-411 becomes "LJ" and the output of the inverter 412 becomes "H", the selector 404 selects the output of the write address generation counter 405, and the image RAM 403 selects the output of the write address generation counter 405. mode. Note that the output signal S13 of the inverter 412 is
It is also sent to a selection signal generation circuit 425 of the monitor image tone setting circuit 202, which will be described later.

Image data with gradation from the shading correction circuit 23 is input to the input/output terminal (I10 terminal) of the image RAM 403 via the selector 401 and the image selection circuit 402. The data are sequentially written to the designated addresses as described above in synchronization with the signal CKA.

As a result, the image of the attention area EA is stored in the image RAM 40.
Written in 3.

When writing to the image RAM 403 is completed, the CPU 2
6 sets the data holding signal S7 to rHJ and holds the written contents.

Next, reading from the image RAM 403 will be explained.

As shown in Fig. 11, the image of the attention area EA is made into a mosaic in which a total of 27 different color adjustments are made, 3 in the main scanning direction (X direction) and 9 in the sub scanning direction (Y direction). It is assumed that the monitor image GM is output on one sheet of paper P. These images GM have coordinates X in the main scanning direction on paper P. to X, the coordinate y in the sub-scanning direction. is output between yl and yl.

In this case, how to read the image RAM 403 is as follows.
The contents of the same line of the image stored in the image RAM 403 are read out three times in the main scanning direction, and when all the contents have been read out in the sub-scanning direction, the first line is read out again in the same manner as described above. Repeat nine times.

When reading out the image RAM 403, the signal S8 from the CPU 26 becomes r)('', which causes the selector 404 to select the output on the read address generation counter 407 side, and the output of the inverter 412 becomes "L", so that the image RA M2O3 goes into read mode.

The readout area determination circuit 408 determines the readout area for the paper P. Like the write area determination circuit 406 described above, the readout area determination circuit 408 has a determination circuit 408a that determines the area in the main scanning direction (X direction) and a determination circuit 408a that determines the area in the subscanning direction ( It consists of a discrimination circuit 408b that discriminates the area in the Y direction).

Each determination circuit 408a, b has a coordinate value χ that can be determined to be within the area when the following conditions are satisfied: X0≦X≦X1 y0≧Y≧yI, where each count value is X or Y. + XI + yo + yl is given in advance by a read area setting signal.

When the output signals S9 (REX signal that is low active) and output signals 510 (REV signal that is low active) of each discrimination circuit 408a, b are both enabled, an address is generated by the read address generation counter 407, and the generated address Image RAM 403 according to
, and outputs the retained image data to the masking processing circuit 24.

At this time, the read address generation counter 407 is requested to count even if it exceeds its maximum value, but at that time, each generation counter 407a, b outputs the G-th barflow signal SIL 312 and is initialized again. Start counting from the value.

This overflow signal 311. Step S12 is sent to a monitor image tone setting circuit 202, which will be described later, and is used to switch the color correction coefficient.

Note that when reading the image RAM 403, the output of the image selection circuit 402 is in a high impedance state, and when the image RAM 403 is not being read, the selector 401 outputs "white" image data to the subsequent stage. "White" data is selected.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the monitor image tone setting circuit 202.

The monitor tone setting circuit 202 is a circuit that performs color correction (color adjustment) of a mosaic monitor image.

Color adjustment is performed by calculating M C+ -kz C on Y, =, Y Ml - for each print signal Y, M, and C obtained by the calculation in (1) 2 above, and adjusting. The printing signals Y,,M,.

The goal is to obtain C8. Kote, k, 2. 3 is an adjustment coefficient.

In the mosaic monitor image GM shown in FIG. 11, the coefficient of Y (yellow) is 1, which does not change in the sub-scanning direction and y in the main scanning direction. , )+, y2, and the coefficient of M (magenta) is 2, which does not change in the main scanning direction, but changes m every block in the sub-scanning direction. 1ml, m2. mo, ml ”'
The coefficient 3 for C (cyan) does not change in the main scanning direction, but changes to C6+ every 3 blocks in the sub-scanning direction.
It changes from CI to C2.

Therefore, in the monitor image tone setting circuit 202, the coefficients are changed for each of the print signals Y, M, and C as described above.

Now, the multiplier 421 receives the above-mentioned print signals Y, , M1 .
Execute the calculation to obtain 01. Here, in order to set three different coefficients in the main scanning direction, three launches I, 1. L2. A latch circuit 422 consisting of L3 is provided, and these latch circuits 422 include CP
The coefficients output from U26 are set.

The latch circuit 422 consisting of three latches was provided because
In the main scanning direction, the coefficient change period is short, and the CPU2
This is because it is difficult to set in real time using 6. Note that if it is desired to have n types of coefficients, n latches may be provided in parallel.

In the monitor image memory circuit 201 described above, the image RA
The main scanning direction bone overflow signal Sll generated when reading M2O3 is input to the selection signal generation circuit 424, and is input to the selector 423 as the signal 321 via the selector 426. Note that the selector 42
6 transmits the output of the selection signal generation circuit 424 to the selector 423 in the mosaic monitor mode.

The selection signal generation circuit 424 generates the overflow signal 311
Each time latches Ll,
L2. A signal is output that sequentially selectively switches L3.

9. As a result, each coefficient launched in the latch circuit 422 is selectively and sequentially sent to the multiplier 421.

Each latch Ll, L2 . The setting input of L3 is given a coefficient for a monitor image that is the next block in the sub-scanning direction.

Image RAM 403 in monitor image memory circuit 201
An overflow signal S12 with a sub-scanning direction generated when reading is input to a selector 427, and the selector 427 transmits this to the latch circuit 422 in the mosaic monitor mode. As a result, each time the overflow signal 312 is output, the latch circuit 422 latches and updates the input data (coefficients), and outputs the updated data to the multiplier 421 via the selector 423.

Therefore, when the block changes in the sub-scanning direction,
The set of coefficients is changed immediately.

After the mosaic monitor image is formed on paper P, when the operator selects the image with the most desirable color, the coefficient corresponding to the image with that color is automatically set, and this allows the entire document to be The image is copied.

Here, the coefficient of color adjustment of the mosaic monitor image is the 11th
The CPU 26 stores information corresponding to each block in the figure.
When a block is selected, color adjustment is performed using the color adjustment coefficients of the selected block.

In order for the operator to specify an image selected from among the mosaic monitor images GM, for example, press the function keys 78 to 81 according to the message displayed on the display section 84.
All you have to do is operate the .

Alternatively, the image block shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit 84, and a coefficient is selected by selecting block coordinates using a function key or numeric keypad.

(Superimpose Mode) Next, the superimpose mode for performing image composition, which is a feature of the present invention, will be explained.

In the superimpose mode, image data registered (stored) in advance in the image RAM 403 is read out, and this registered image is printed (formed) at an arbitrary position on the paper P.

To register an image in image RAM M2O3, as explained in the mosaic monitor mode above, operate the jog dials 82 and 83 to set a specific area (same as the area of interest EA), and then set this with gradation. This is done by writing the image data into the image RAM M2O3.

Images other than the specific area are formed by printing the original image on the paper P by normal copying, regardless of reading and writing to the image RAM 2 O 3, while prohibiting image formation in the specific area.

Printing of original images (images other than specific areas) and registered images (
Printing of the image of a specific area) can be performed in one printing process, except when the copying magnifications of the two images are different as described later.

When forming a document image, image formation in a specific area is prohibited by switching the image selection circuit 402 in accordance with the read operation of the image RAM 403 (in the case that image composition is performed in one printing process), or as described below. selector 4
15 is switched and "white" data is output (when the original image and the registered image are formed in separate printing processes), respectively.

A composite image is formed by printing the registered image read from the image RAM 403 in the superimpose mode on the prohibited portion of the specific area of this original image.

When forming an image read from the image RAM 403, that is, when forming a registered image, if this is performed in a process different from the printing process of the original image, the image RAM 403
In an image area other than the image from , the selector 401 is switched and "white" data is output.

In the superimpose mode, the selector 401 selects "white" data, the selector 426 selects the selection signal generation circuit 425, and the selector 427 selects the latch signal from the CPU 26.

Next, the operation of the monitor image memory circuit 201 shown in FIG. 4 in the superimpose mode will be described.

The registration of images in the image RAM 403 is exactly the same as in the mosaic monitor mode as described above.

When reading from the image RAM 403, a value corresponding to the desired writing position on the paper is set in the read area determination circuit 408 using a read area setting signal.

In this case, only when the output signals 39 and 310 of the read area determination circuit 408 are both enabled (“L”), the output of the gate 411 becomes active, and image data from the image RAM 403 can be transmitted to the subsequent stage. It is.

When reading from the image RAM 2 O 3 is not performed, the selector 401 selects a normal image from the shading correction circuit 23 and transmits this to the subsequent stage.

Next, the color adjustment operation in the superimpose mode of the monitor image tone setting circuit 202 shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

Coefficients for color correction of the original image and coefficients for color compensation of the registered image are set in latches L1 and L2 of the latch circuit 422, respectively.

At this time, the selector 427 transmits a latch signal from the CPU 26 to the latch circuit 422, and the input data (coefficients) of the launch circuit 422 are latched by this launch signal.

Further, the selector 427 selects the output of the selection signal generation circuit 425.

This selection signal generation circuit 425 causes the selector 423 to select the latch L1 when the output of the inverter 412 is "HJ", that is, when the image RAM 403 is not in the read state, and when the image RAM M2O3 is in the read state, the selector 423 selects the latch L2. You can now choose.

Therefore, when directly printing the original image without storing it in the image RAM 403, color adjustment is performed by the coefficient set in the latch L1, and the image (registered image) once stored in the image RAM 403 is read out and printed. In this case, color adjustment is performed using the coefficient set in latch L2.

Note that the set values of the latches L1 and L2 must be reset for each print color.

Next, a case in which magnification is applied in superimpose mode will be explained.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the signal processing section 20a taking magnification control into consideration.

This signal processing section 20a and the signal processing section 2 of FIG. 3 mentioned above.
The difference from No. 0 is that an electric scaling circuit 210 and a sub-scanning clock generator 211 for scaling are added, and the other components are the same, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The electrical variable magnification circuit 2]0 electrically performs enlargement/reduction in the main scanning direction, and the method and circuit configuration thereof are well known and will not be described here.

Furthermore, scaling in the sub-scanning direction is realized by varying the speed of relative movement between the document and the scanner 10, and since this configuration and control method are well known, their explanation will be omitted.

Figure 8 shows a monitor image memory circuit 2 that takes magnification control into consideration.
01a is a circuit diagram.

The difference between this monitor image memory circuit 201a and the monitor image memory circuit 201 shown in FIG. In addition, as the clock input to the read address generation counter 407, the sub-scanning clock 31 for scaling from the sub-scanning clock generator 211 for scaling is provided instead of the horizontal synchronizing signal H5ync.
It is now 4. For other parts, see Section 4.
The same parts as those of the monitor image memory circuit 201 shown in the figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted.

When outputting the original image to the masking processing circuit 24 regardless of reading and writing of the image RAM M2O3, the selector 415 replaces that portion with image data from the image selection circuit 402 in order to prohibit image formation in a specific area. outputs “white” data.

In other words, the trimming control signal is "L",
In addition, when the output signal (S13) of the in-hark 412 is "L" (when the image RAM 403 is in the read state), the output node j of the gate 416 becomes r1-, and the selector 415 outputs "white" data. select.

At this time, the readout area setting signal input to the readout area determination circuit 408 is based on the magnification of the original image and the image RAM.
The sub-scanning clock S14 for variable magnification, which is input to the readout area determination circuit 408b in the sub-scanning direction, is configured to give coordinate values that take into account the difference in magnification of the image read from 2O3. This corresponds to the magnification in the sub-scanning direction given to the scanner 10 that performs scanning.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sub-scanning clock generator 211 for scaling.

The counter 441 counts in synchronization with the dot clock signal CKA from the clock generator 27, and outputs a ripple carry when the count value reaches a set initial value. This ripple carry is the sub-scanning clock S14 for variable magnification.

The ripple carry is input to the load terminal, and each time the ripple carry is output, the data stored in the initial value data storage section 442 is loaded, and the initial value is set in the counter 441 depending on the error.

The data in the initial value data storage section 442 is set by the CPU 26, and a predetermined magnification in the sub-scanning direction is set based on the value. If the initial value is equal to the number of dot clock signals CKA during I periods of the horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync, the sub-scanning clock S14 for scaling is equal to the number of dot clock signals CKA during I period of the horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync.
The period is the same as c.

When the circuit described above performs one printing process using the necessary colors (up to four colors) on the original image, the paper P has the following:
For example, as shown in FIG. 12a, a document image FD is formed in which the specific area EB is blank.

Next, the selector 401 reads out the image registered in the image RAM M2O3 with the white J disk selected, and the registered image FR is placed in the specific area EB on the paper P as shown in FIG. is formed.

At this time, the sub-scanning clock S14 for scaling is inputted to the sub-scanning direction generation counter 407b of the read address generation counter 407, and the image from the image RAM 403 is enlarged to a predetermined magnification or Printed in reduced size.

The original image FD and the registered image FR are formed on the same sheet P held by the transfer drum 51, and a composite image as shown in FIG. 12C is formed.

Further, the original image FD and the registered image FR are independently color-corrected by the monitor image tone setting circuit 202, and a composite image whose color is adjusted according to the operator's preference is formed.

In the above embodiment, the original image FD and the registered image FR
We have explained the case where the images are printed at different magnifications, but if the magnifications of both images are equal to each other,
A composite image can be formed by a single printing process without having to perform two printing processes.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the blank specific area EB in the original image FD and the registered image FR have the same size, but the image may be distorted due to positional error of the image formed on the paper P. In order to prevent overlapping, the registered image FR may be made smaller than the specific area EB.

According to the above embodiment, in the mosaic monitor mode, when the attention area EA is set by operating the jog dials 82 and 83 without looking at the display unit 84, various different color corrections are performed on the attention area EA. A large number of mosaic monitor images GM are arranged and formed on the same paper P in one printing process.

The operator selects the image closest to the color of the original image or the image of the operator's favorite color from among the mosaic monitor images GM and specifies it using function keys 78 to 81 to set the color for the next copying operation. The adjustment is performed, and thereby the color adjustment for the entire image of the document can be easily performed.

Therefore, copying for color adjustment only needs to be done once, so paper and color toner are not wasted, and time and labor for color adjustment can be reduced.

Furthermore, by specifying an image selected from among the mosaic monitor images using function keys 78 to 81, the coefficients for color adjustment are automatically set.
This eliminates the hassle of manually inputting coefficients numerically, and also prevents coefficient setting errors.

According to the above embodiment, in the superimpose mode, the image of a specific area is stored in the image RAM 403 as image data with gradation, so color correction cannot be performed when reading this. can. Therefore, by once registering an image in the image RAM 403, it is possible to perform color adjustment as necessary after that, and especially when the image is a full color image, color adjustment with other images to be combined can be easily performed. It can be carried out. Furthermore, when the registered image is enlarged or reduced, the image does not deteriorate as would occur if it were registered using binary values.

In the embodiment described above, since the transfer drum 51 is provided, an image can be transferred onto the same sheet any number of times without separating the sheet from the transfer drum 51. Therefore, in the superimpose mode, it is possible to read the image registered in the image RAM M2O3 multiple times to form a plurality of registered images FR on the paper P, and also to register another image in the image RAM M2O3, It is also possible to form different registered images FR on the paper P.

This allows three or more images to be combined.

According to the above-described embodiment, the image RAM 403 is used in both the mosaic monitor mode and the superimpose mode, so the image RAM 403 is effectively used, the utilization rate of resources is improved, and it is advantageous in terms of cost. Become.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, it is possible to synthesize another image stored in the image memory means into a predetermined area of a document image, and at the same time, color correction is performed on each image to easily color the image. Adjustments can be made.

It is possible to share the image memory means for image composition with the image memory means for color adjustment, for example, and in this case, the image memory means can be used effectively and the operating rate can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of the copying machine, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of various keys on the operation panel, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the signal processing section. 4 is a circuit diagram of the monitor image memory circuit, FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the monitor image tone setting circuit, FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the flow state of image data, and FIG. 7 is a signal processing unit. FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing another embodiment of the monitor image memory circuit, FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a sub-scanning Ronx 814 generator for variable magnification, and FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing another embodiment of the monitor image memory circuit. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the display section, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of paper on which a mosaic monitor image is formed, and FIGS. 12 a to 12 c are diagrams showing the state of image formation when performing image composition. 10...Scanner, 20.20a...Signal processing section,
26...CPU, 31...pudding), spatula), part, 4
1... Photosensitive drum, 45a, 45b, 45c,
45c...Developer, 51-...Transfer drum, 7B,
79,80.81...Funk Soyonkey, 82.
83... Jog dial, 84... Display section, 201
, 201. a...Monitor image memory circuit, 202.
・Monitor image tone setting path (color correction means), 401... Selector, 402... Image selection circuit, 403... Image RAM, 415... Selector, 421... Multiplier,
422... Latch circuit, P... Paper, EA... Area of interest (specific area), EB... Specific area, FD...
Manuscript image, FR...Registered image. Applicant Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Yukio Kubo n n' Ward Ward ○guchi-
“Sect”
Castle ->- Soshi

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) means for making a predetermined area a blank area for the image data of the original image; image memory means for storing the image of a specific area in the original image as image data having gradation; color correction means for independently performing color correction on image data of an image and image data read from the image memory means; and means for forming an image in the blank area using the image data read from the image memory means. A digital color copying machine comprising: