JPH0226183A - Picture forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily read a character part by providing a base color removal instructing means, removing the base part of a color part original with the selecting instruction of a user and executing picture formation. CONSTITUTION:When a copy start is depressed, a color picture input device 1 reads the color picture of the original and stores digital information concerning a converted color to a data processing unit 4. When a base color processing selecting switch 3 selects and instructs the removal of the original, base removal processing is executed. The base removal processing is executed by whollt replacing the information in the same color as the base of the original, out of the digital information stored to a RAM42 of the device 4, with white data. Thus, the user executes the selection of the base removal with the switch 3 and the picture formation is executed with removing the base part of the original for the necessary data. Then, since the base part can be remained in white, the character part can be easily observed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and is particularly suitable for digital color copying machines and the like that read color image information from a document and form an image on a recording medium. .

(Prior Art) Conventionally, digital color copying machines generally convert the color image information of a document into R (red), G (green), and B (blue).
The three-color separation is read and converted into digital information of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and BK (black), and based on this digital information, the laser emitter is driven oN and oFp. A latent image of each color is formed on a photosensitive drum, and toner image strings of each color are developed by sequentially supplying phenomenon toner of a color corresponding to each latent image to the photosensitive drum, and the developed toner image is printed on recording paper. A color copy was obtained by superimposing the image on top of the image and fixing it. Also,
When a color inkjet printer is used, color copies are obtained on recording paper by selectively ejecting and rubbing Y, M, C, and B color inks based on the above-mentioned digital information.

In the case of other recording methods, color digital information was also used.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional apparatus as described above, an image is formed as it is according to the color information of the document.
The color of the background of the newspaper (base color) is also perfectly reproduced, so even if it is perfect from the perspective of color reproduction, it has the disadvantage that it is extremely difficult to read when reading a color copy of a newspaper. It was hot.

In addition, the paper used for color copying generally has to be white paper in order to emphasize color reproducibility, but with conventional equipment, as mentioned above, the base color is copied, so colored paper Compared to normal printers that print only the image portion using a printer, the disadvantage is that they require unnecessary toner and ink.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and even when copying a manuscript such as a newspaper or magazine with text on a color photograph, the base part of the manuscript is removed from the base of the recording paper as necessary. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having an image processing function that makes it easy to read in pure white.

(Means for Solving the Problems) To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a color original 8% reading means for reading color image information of a document, and a background color detection means for detecting the background color of the document.

A base color removal instruction means for selectively instructing whether or not to remove the base color of the document; and a color image information read by the color document reading means in response to the base color removal instruction from the base color removal instruction means. , a background color removing means for removing and outputting the background color detected by the background color detecting means.

(Function) With the above configuration, the present invention enables image formation by removing the base portion of a color document according to a selection instruction from the device user. When copying, the base of the document can be left as white as the base of the recording paper, making it easier to read text, and improving the image quality of color photographs. There is no need to use toner on the important parts.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1(^) shows the basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, A is a color document reading unit that reads color image information of the document, B is a background color detection device that detects the base color of the document, and C is a selective instruction to indicate whether or not to remove the base color of the document. This is a base color removal instruction means. Reference numeral D denotes a background color removal means, which removes the color detected by the background color detection means B from the color image information read by the color original reading means A in response to the background color removal instruction from the above-mentioned background color removal instruction means C. Remove the background color and output.

FIG. 1(B) shows a schematic circuit configuration of an embodiment of a digital color copying machine to which the present invention is applied. Using an array, etc., to read the three-color separation of R, G, and B, and convert the read color image information into the printing color Y.
, M, C, and 8 into digital information, and corresponds to the above-mentioned color original reading means A. 2 is a paper color reading device that reads the color of recording paper (copy paper).

Reference numeral 3 denotes a background processing selection switch for the apparatus user to select how to process the background color of the document, and corresponds to the background color removal instruction means C described above.

4 is a color image data input device l, a paper color reading device v
! 12, and the data processing device that performs the background color detection and removal processing of the original based on the input information from the background processing selection switch 3, and includes the above-mentioned background color detection means B and background color removal means. corresponds to This data processing device 4 includes a CPLI (Central Processing Unit) 41 such as a microcomputer that performs calculation control, and a CPIJ 41.
used for work and temporarily stores necessary data 1
It incorporates a random access memory (^M) 42, a ROM (read only memory) 43 in which control procedures as shown in FIG. 2 are stored in advance, and the like.

5 are Y and M output from the data processing device 4;

It is a consistent digital color output device (digital printer) that reproduces and records a color image on paper based on digital information of C and BK, and 6 indicates whether or not the background processing selection switch 3 has selected background removal. Data processing device 4
This is a display device that displays information based on signals from.

Next, referring to the flowchart in FIG. 2, see FIG. 1(B).
The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

First, in step 2-1, it is determined whether or not a copy start key (not shown) has been pressed. If the copy start key has been pressed, in the next step 2-2, the color image data input device W1t is driven to copy the original. The color images of Y and M were read and converted.

The digital information of C and BK is stored in the RAM in the data processing device 4.
42.

Next, step 2-3. , and the position of the background treatment selection switch 3 is on the side that instructs copying of the base of the document (
For example, if this switch 3 selects and instructs copying of the base portion of the original,
Skip to step 2-5 without performing the background removal process,
Select to remove the background color of the original (for example, ON) L/
If so, the process proceeds to the next step 2-4 in which the background removal process is performed. Note that the state of the background process selection switch 3 may be displayed on the display 6 at this time.

In step 2-4, the background is removed by replacing all the information of the same color as the background color of the original with white data from among the digital information (color of the color original image and its coordinate data) stored in the RAM 42 mentioned above. After processing, proceed to the next step 2-5.

There are various methods for detecting the background color of the document described above, but in this embodiment, for example, a histogram is created based on the color distribution of the document input to the device W14 that processes color image data. The color is extracted as a base color and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 42 for use. Alternatively, the device user can use a light pen-shaped light-receiving sensor to detect the base color of the document in advance by placing the sensor directly on the base of the document.
It may be stored in .

In step 2-5, color data indicating the copy paper color is input from the paper color reading device 2 and stored in the RAM 42.

As this paper color reading device 2, for example, FIG.
), the configuration shown in (B) is used.
In this figure, 7 is the copy paper in the paper feed cassette 12! 3
8 is a CCD for reading the color of the copy paper 13; 9 is a red filter at the entrance where the light from the CCD 8 enters; a red filter 10 is at the other entrance where the light from the CCD 8 enters. There is a green filter 11, and a blue filter 11 is located at the other entrance into which CCOA light is input. That is, in step 2-5, the light from the light source 7 is applied to the paper 13 at the top of the cassette 12, the reflected light is read by the CCDII, and the output of the ccoa is converted into digital information and data is obtained as the color information of the paper. In the RAM 42 in the processing device 4 Next, in step 2-6, it is determined whether the paper color information obtained as described above is white, and if it is white, the process jumps to step 2-8. If the paper is not white, that is, if it is determined that the paper has some color, the process advances to the next step 2-7.

In step 2-7, the color information of the original stored in the RAM 42 is corrected based on the color information of the paper stored in 1^M42, so that the color after copying is almost completely the same as the color of the original. Match and reproduce, next step 2-
Proceed to step 8. This correction is also related to the characteristics of color toner and color ink, so for example, correction data created based on experimental data is stored in the ROM 42, and the combination of paper color information and document color information is used. Correction data may be obtained by table lookup using the data as a read address.

In the next step 2-8, the digital color information of the original processed as described above is transferred to the digital color output device 5 capable of color printing and copied onto the paper 13.

As this output bag fi5, various types of recording devices such as not only electrophotographic type but also color inkjet recording type and color thermal transfer type can be used. Moreover, it can be applied not only to printers but also to output to a storage device such as a magneto-optical disk and display on a TV monitor.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to remove the base portion of a color document and form an image according to a selection instruction from the device user. When copying a manuscript such as a magazine, the base of the document can be left as white as the base of the recording paper, making the text easier to read and improving the image quality of color photographs. Furthermore, an economical effect can be obtained in that toner is not consumed in unnecessary areas.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 (^) is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure (II) is a block diagram showing a schematic circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is Figure 1 (B). ) is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. ^) is a plan view showing the configuration of CD8. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Color image data input device, 2... Paper color reading device, 3... Base treatment selection switch, 4... Data processing device, 5... Digital color output device, 6... Display vessel. Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Color document reading means for reading color image information of a document; background color detection means for detecting a base color of the document; and selectively instructing whether or not to remove the base color of the document. a base color removal instruction means, and the base color detected by the base color detection means from the color image information read by the color document reading means in response to the base color removal instruction from the base color removal instruction means; An image forming apparatus comprising: a base color removing means for removing and outputting a background color.