JPH02265376A - Picture processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To assist the mode setting and to improve job efficiency by printing out required information on the way of mode setting. CONSTITUTION:When a help key is depressed on the screen of the help mode and a key required for detailed explanation is depressed and an OK key is depressed after inverse display, the pattern of the explanation mode of the selected key is displayed. When a print-out key is depressed, an instruction reading the content of a VRAM is outputted to a liquid crystal controller 224 and a bit pattern of the liquid crystal pattern during display at present is expanded in an ad-on RAM 205. Thus, if the setting and how to use the operation are still not clear, the detailed information is printed out and then the setting is attained by referencing the result after the display mode is restored to the setting mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image processing system that processes image information.

[Conventional technology]

A digital copying machine has been proposed that photoelectrically reads an original image and records the image on a recording material based on the image information obtained by reading.

Since these digital copying machines handle images electrically, various image processing is possible, such as extracting necessary image parts from a document image, erasing unnecessary image parts, and x and y independent scaling. Processing, arbitrary movement onto the recording material, etc. are performed.

In addition to these functions, overlay processing is performed to synthesize and output characters such as letters and numbers at arbitrary positions of the image information obtained by reading. These unique processing (functions) of digital copiers are convenient for performing various image processing, but since the settings for each function are complicated, it is difficult for the operator to interact with display devices such as liquid crystals or small CRTs. The mode was set (the method was taken).

[Problem that the invention is trying to solve]

However, due to the narrow display area of this interactive display device, only the mode information currently being set can be displayed, and in order to view the details of other previously set modes, it is necessary to temporarily change the mode screen from the currently set mode screen. It was necessary to remove the screen, check the screen you want to refer to on the display device, and then return to the screen that is currently being set.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention utilizes the above-mentioned overlay function to provide a print function for the display screen, and by printing out screens that are likely to be referenced in advance, it reduces the number of screen calls that are referred to only for confirmation, and also allows for mode changes, corrections, etc. This screen print is used.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below based on preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an overview diagram of a copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied;
Reference numeral 1 denotes an editor used for point input and mode settings, 32 a point pen for inputting points on the editor 31, 33 an operation section for setting various modes, 34 a reader for reading a document, 35 is leader 34
This is a printer that outputs the image read by the printer.

Figure 2 shows a structural diagram of the reader and printer. The original is placed face down on the original platen glass 3, and is pressed onto the glass by the original platen pressure plate 4 (integrated with the editor 31).

The document is illuminated by a fluorescent lamp 2, and the reflected light is focused onto the surface of the CCDI via a mirror 5.7 and a lens 6.

Mirror 7 and mirror 5 move at a relative speed of 2:l. These optical systems are moved forward (from left to right) at a speed corresponding to the reading magnification while applying PLL by a DC servo motor 26.

The backward movement (from right to left) is performed at a constant speed regardless of the magnification. The maximum document size that can be processed is A3 (420mm).
x 297 mm), resolution is 400 dots
/1nch, a CCDI of about 5000 bits is used.

In this manner, while moving the mirror 5.7 to move the document reading position, the document image is sequentially line-scanned by the CCDI to obtain an image signal indicating the density of the image.

The image signal bit-serially processed by the reader is input to the laser scanning optical system unit 25 of the printer. This unit 25 consists of a semiconductor laser collimator lens, a rotating polygon mirror, an Fθ lens, and a tilt correction optical system.

The image signal from the reader is applied to a semiconductor laser for electro-optical conversion, and is irradiated via a collimator lens to a polyhedral mirror that rotates at high speed, and the reflected light is incident on the photoreceptor 8 and scanned. A pre-static eliminator 9 and a pre-static eliminator lamp 1O1 are used as process components that enable image formation on the photoreceptor 8.
-Next charger 11. Secondary charger 12, front exposure lamp 13
, developing device 14, paper feed cassette 15, paper feed roller 16, paper feed guide 17, registration roller 18, transfer charger 19,
A separation roller 20, a conveyance guide 21, a fixing device 22, and a tray 23 are arranged. The speed of the photoconductor 8 and the conveyance system is 1
80 mm/sec. Printer B is a so-called laser printer. Note that a photosensor is provided near the photoreceptor 8, and by detecting the laser beam being scanned by this photosensor, the tip reference signal BD for each scan is obtained.

The copying device in this example has intelligence such as image editing, and its functions include variable magnification in 1% increments in the range of 0.35-4°0, and cropping and trimming to extract only a specified area of the image. There is a moving function that moves the image to an arbitrary position on the paper.

Figure 3 shows the appearance of the editor and operation section.

This will be explained in order below. The operation section 33 is connected to the document reading device and also displays information such as paper out, cassette selection, jam, etc. of a printer section (not shown) that forms an image based on image information.

A start key 101 instructs to start document reading.

The asterisk key 102 is used for setting special modes, etc.

A recall key 103 is used to specify a recall mode in which the previous copy mode can be recalled. A reset key 104 is used to return various settings to standard mode. A numeric keypad 105 is used to set the number of copies.

A clear stop key 106 is used to clear the number of sheets specified by the numeric keypad and to stop the copying operation. Density keys 107, 108, and 109 specify manual density adjustment and automatic density adjustment (AE) for copying, and the instructions are displayed on indicator-110.

The photo key 111 is designated when a user wants to make a copy of a photo original. The high contrast key 112 is designated when it is desired to increase the contrast (black and white) of the image. negative/
The positive inversion key 113 inverts the white level and black level of the image.

The number of sheets display section 114 displays the set number of sheets and the number of remaining sheets during the copying operation. An indicator 115 displays the orientation of the document based on the copy magnification and paper size. Indicator 116 displays the paper size. A cassette selection key 117 specifies the paper feed stage of the printer. Same size key 118. The standard size changing key 119 and the auto size changing key 121 instruct the magnification of the variable size copy, and the indicator 122 displays the magnification at the time of standard size changing.

The auto paper selection key 120 is used to automatically select a paper size based on the original size detected by the original recognition function and the magnification. The liquid crystal display section 123 has 240 dots
It is composed of a 64-dot liquid crystal display and is displayed under the control of a microcomputer (CPU), which will be described later.

Note that the surface of the liquid crystal display section 123 is covered with a transparent touch panel. This touch panel has a built-in 4 x 10 matrix of transparent electrode switches, and is configured so that the coordinate values when specified with a finger or the like are taken into a microcomputer so that the specified position can be determined. A duplex/multiplex key 124 is used to specify duplex/multiplex operation of the printer. Sort/collate key 125 is used to specify the operation of a sorter connected to the printer. The center movement key 126 is used to move image information to the center of the paper. The original recognition key 127 is used to select whether or not to recognize the original size.

The memory key 128 is a key for storing various operation modes or for calling them all at once, the printout key 150 is for printing out the liquid crystal display data, and the help key 151 is for displaying an operation instruction screen. be.

The editor 31 presses the document on the document table (not shown) with the document table pressure plate 4 on the back side, and also presses the mode operation section 143.
, and the various settings and setting status of the copy mode are displayed in L (not shown).
It is now confirmed in the ED.

The digitizer part 139 of the editor 31 can import coordinate data on the board indicated by the point pen 138 into the microcomputer.

In combination with the operation mode, the coordinate data is recognized as magnification information from the magnification input surface 141, character information from the character input surface 143, and coordinate information from the coordinate input surface 139 including the two surfaces. In addition, since the coordinate values from the magnification input surface 141 are converted into magnification information by a microcomputer program, it is possible to display a large range of necessary magnification as shown in the figure (in this example, , 35
% to 100% is displayed in large size).

The zoom key 129 is a key for specifying the magnification, and after pressing this key, the magnification is specified by pointing the magnification input surface 141 with the point pen 138 or by setting the magnification from the liquid crystal display section 123.

The area specification key 130 is a key for specifying an area for image processing.
Point pen 1 at the position on the document you want to process placed in
Any area can be specified by specifying it with 38 or inputting it from the liquid crystal display section 123.

The movement key 131 is a key for moving the image, and after pressing this key, the position to be moved is indicated on the coordinate input surface 139 with the point pen 138 or with the liquid crystal operation section 123.

The page continuous copying key 132 is used when it is desired to output a document in multiple sheets.

The enlarged continuous copying key 133 is used when it is desired to output an enlarged image of a document on multiple sheets of paper.

The mirror image key 136 is used when it is desired to copy an original image by inverting it in the main scanning direction.

The image create key 137 is used when performing various image processing (edge enhancement, smoothing processing).

The character input key 134 is used to combine and record characters such as letters, numbers, and symbols on the original image.
After pressing this key, characters such as letters, numbers, and symbols are designated by pointing the character input surface 143 with the point pen 138.

The image repeat key 135 is used to repeatedly record the entire document or a trimmed image on the same recording material multiple times.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control section of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. 201 corresponds to the CCDI in Figure 2,
An original set on the original platen 3 is optically scanned and output as an image signal. The output image signal has dark edges due to the characteristics of the fluorescent lamp 2.
In order to correct this, the shedding correction circuit 220 corrects it.

The image information output from the shading correction circuit 220 is temporarily stored in the line buffer 221, and is used for scaling, moving,
Image processing such as mirror image and image repeat is performed. That is, the above functions are realized by the write position, write clock control read position, and read clock control from the image processing circuit 202 to the line buffer 221. The image information read from the line buffer 221 is input to a γ correction circuit 222 that performs input/output density conversion.
Further, if there is no add-on image information, which will be described later, the image is outputted to the printer through the synthesis circuit 203.

Reference numeral 205 is the source of add-on image information for a capital letter input function to be described later. Add-on RA to deploy add-on fonts
208 is an add-on font ROM that stores fonts to be developed in the add-on RAM 205. 206 is an add-on image generation circuit for converting data developed in the add-on RAM into image information, 209 is a sub-scanning counter that counts the position in the sub-scanning direction, and 216 is a motor and a fluorescent light for moving the optical system. Ilo, 215+, which controls the signal line to light up, etc. The RAM stores add-on codes and information necessary for system control, and some areas are backed up so that the contents are retained even when the power is turned off.

214 is a ROM in which data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display and system control programs are stored; 213 is an editor corresponding to the editor 31 in FIG. Information such as lighting instructions is exchanged via serial communication.

A liquid crystal controller 224 controls the liquid crystal 223 of the liquid crystal display unit 123, and displays display data on the liquid crystal 223 by receiving display position information of the liquid crystal 223 and a code corresponding to the liquid crystal font ROM 225 from the CPU 210.

212 is a touch panel of the liquid crystal display section 123 and an operation section 33;
It is an operation section consisting of a keypad and a display. 21
1 is a buzzer that emits a buzzer sound to the operator.

FIG. 5 shows the liquid crystal display section 12 in various processing mode settings.
3 shows the display state.

When the zoom key 129 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. Figure (B) is displayed, and the displayed X down key 702, X auto key 703, X up key 704, Y down key 705, 'Y auto key 706, Y up key 707, xy down key 708,
Set the magnification using the xyX auto key 709 and the XY up key 710. In addition, in the display state of FIG. 5(A), when the coordinate input surface 139 on the editor is specified with the point pen 138, the CPU 210 converts the coordinate data to a magnification corresponding to the zoom scale, and the screen is shown in FIG. 5(B). It is controlled to change the magnification and display the input magnification.

Next, the area specification mode will be explained. Up to three rectangular areas can be entered on the same document, and when the area designation key 130 is pressed, the area number (1
, 2, or 3) is set, the area corresponding to Fig. 5 (C) is set, and if it is not set, the area corresponding to Fig. 5 (C) is set.
Figure (D) is displayed.

In FIG. 5(C), 712 is a clear key for clearing the currently displayed area, 713 is an area up key for increasing the area number, 714 is an area down key, and 715 is for displaying the current area number. Area number display.

When the area up key 713 is pressed in the figure, if the area is registered, the area number 7 in Figure 5 (C) is displayed.
15 becomes "2" and is also displayed on the left side of the area corresponding to the mode and setting value of either trimming or masking. Further, if the area is not registered, the area number 715 of FIG. 5(D) is displayed as "2".

In addition, if you press the touch panel input key 716 in Figure 5 (C) or (D), Figure 5 (F) will be displayed, allowing you to correct the point position of the input area in mm units or register a new area. It is controlled so that it can be done.

In Figure 5 (D), when you input one point on the diagonal input of the area, the screen changes to the one shown in Figure 5 (E), and after inputting the remaining one point, press the OK main key 17. A new area is registered, and the screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 5(C).

Next, the movement mode will be explained. When the movement key 131 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 5(G) is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 123. The operator selects and presses one of the center movement key 718, corner movement key 719, designated movement key 720, and binding margin key 721. When the selected key corresponds to corner movement, specified movement, and binding margin, the keys shown in Fig. 5 (H), Fig. 5 (I), and Fig. 5 (K) are displayed, respectively.
is displayed.

In Figure 5 (H), the type of corner movement can be specified;
In Figure (1), by specifying the destination of the specified movement on the editor or pressing the touch panel Hitokaki-716, Figure 5 (J) will be displayed, allowing you to modify the points already specified on the editor or create new points. Input is possible.

Further, in FIG. 5(K), it is possible to set the binding position in the binding margin mode, that is, the amount of movement of the image.

Next, the page continuous shooting mode will be explained. When the page continuous copying key 132 is pressed, the display shown in FIG. 5(L) is displayed. In the figure, for example, the left and right page quick copy mode and the top and bottom page quick copy mode are modes in which the left half and right half or the top half and bottom half of the read document are output on separate sheets, and the left page continuous copy mode is a left page continuous copy mode.

Right page full copy mode, top page continuous copy mode, and bottom continuous copy mode each scan the left half of the original.

This mode outputs only the right half, upper half, and lower half. These modes are each snapshot mode keys 722 to 727.
It can be set by pressing .

Next, the enlarged continuous shooting mode will be explained. The enlarged continuous copying mode is a mode in which when copying at a set magnification does not fit on the output paper, it is output on multiple sheets separately, and a single output result is obtained by combining the multiple output sheets. To set this mode, when the enlarged continuous shooting key 133 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 5(M) is displayed, and the mode is set.

Next, the image create mode will be explained.

In the image create mode, it is possible to set the amount of etch emphasis and smoothing for the image, and pressing the sharpness key 740 and filter key 741 on the screen shown in Figure 5 (0) will change the sharpness to set the amount of etch emphasis, respectively. Adjustments can be made using the weak key 742 and strong key 743 on the setting screen in FIG. 5(P). When the OK key is pressed, the screen is controlled to return to the screen shown in FIG. 5 (0). Similarly, on the screen shown in FIG. 5(q), the smoothing amount can be set using the weak key 744 and the strong key 745, and the screen is controlled to return to the screen shown in FIG. 5(0) using the OK key 747. .

Next, the character input mode will be explained. There are two main character input modes, and FIG. 16 shows the output of each mode. In Figure 1θ, (1) is the original, (2)
, (3) shows the printout. In the first mode, the input character string "x" is placed at any position on the output paper.

This is a character mode that outputs Y, ZJ and overlays it with the scanned original image information (1) to obtain a printout (2). part) is repeatedly output, overlaid with the scanned original image information (1), and printed out (3).
This is the shading mode that obtains .

When the character input key 134 on the editor is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 5(N) for selecting one of these two modes is displayed. Since these two modes are realized using the same circuit, it is not possible to set the character mode and the hatching mode at the same time, and the control is such that one of them is selected and used. In the same figure, 728 is a character key 729 for setting a character mode, a shading key for setting a shading mode, and 730 is an all clear key for canceling the character mode and shading mode.

The details of the character mode will be explained below.

After the character input key 134 is pressed, the liquid crystal display section 123
On the screen shown in Figure 5 (N) displayed, press character key 7.
When 28 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 6(A) is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 123. In the figure, 800 is a character editing key that changes to the screen for inputting a large character string to be overlaid, 801 is an output position key that displays a screen that determines where on the output paper the input character string will be output, and 80
2 is an output direction key that displays a screen for determining the output direction of a character string, and 803 is a font size key that displays a screen for selecting an output font size.

When the character edit key 800 is pressed, the screen changes to that shown in FIG. 6(B). On this screen, there are 6 characters vertically and 1 horizontally.
Six characters can be displayed in a character area 804 indicated by dotted lines in the figure.

The operator moves the cursor 805 to the desired input position using the cursor movement keys 806, and inputs a character at the cursor position by indicating the desired character or pattern on the character input surface 143 on the editor with the touch pen 138. is possible.

In addition, the operator should move the cursor 8 to the character that was entered incorrectly.
You can correct the error by moving 05 onto the incorrectly inputted character and inputting the character again. Further, when the clear key 807 is pressed, all characters are cleared and the cursor 805 is controlled to be returned to the beginning position.

Now, the procedure of the CPU 210 when inputting characters using the character input surface 143 of the editor will be explained in detail using the flowchart shown in FIG.

The editor 213 and the CPU 210 are in serial communication, and it is possible to tell the CPU 210 which position on the editor 213 the point pen 138 has pointed to.

When the character input mode is set by the operation as described above (Sll), the display shown in FIG. 6(B) is displayed (S13).
. When the operator points at a certain position on the editor 213 with the touch pen 138, the CPU 210 determines whether the point coordinate information from the editor 213 is inside the character input surface 143 (S14). If the point position is inside the character input screen, the buzzer 39 beeps to notify the operator that a character has been input (515), and the code corresponding to each pointed character is stored in the RAM 2°15. It is stored (S16).

The character input surface 143 is shown in FIG. 9, and the relationship between the code and the character input surface will be explained. As shown in the diagram ("A, B, C...
2” (capital letters of the alphabet, ra+b+C・
Lowercase letters such as ``2'', numbers such as ``1,2゜3...0'', uppercase katakana letters such as ``A, I, Tsu...wo'', [A, I, Tsu... The katakana lowercase letter for ``...tsu'', the kanji for ``as for ``January 2nd year'', r (,)
.

%? , /...'' and spaces, and a desired character can be selected by pressing the desired character with the point pen 138.

Further, each character corresponding to these keys is given a unique code, namely, "A" on the first line.

B, C...J" has code 0. 1, 2...9 are given respectively, and "K, L, M...T" on the second line
Codes 10゜11, 12...19 are assigned respectively (from O to 144 (145 to 149 are 14).
4) is assigned to each character. In Figure 9, the numbers in parentheses indicate codes (0), (1), (2), etc.
・(9) corresponds to the last digit of the code, (00), (01
), (02)...(14) correspond to the first two digits of the code. This code data is reflected on the screen display, and the cursor is usually moved one step to the right. If the current cursor position is on the right side, move the cursor one line down to the left side.

Next, the case where the output position key 801 is pressed in FIG. 6(A) will be explained.

When the output position key 801 is pressed, FIG. 6(E) is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 123, and the output reference position KP (Xout
.

Yout) can be confirmed in mm units.

To change KP, press X down key 814, X up key 815, Y down key 816, Y up key 817.
By pressing , you can change the data, and by pressing the OK primary key 19, the value of KP is registered in the RAM 215, and the screen changes to the 6th
It is controlled to change to what is shown in Figure (A).

In addition, when pointing on the coordinate input surface 139 with the point pen 138 in FIG. 6(E), the pointed y'-ta is m
Convert to m and redisplay. When the clear key 818 is pressed, the screen changes to Fig. 6 (C), and when new data is entered at the point Ben, the screen changes to Fig. 6 (D).
The approximate location of the input data is displayed on the left, and
When the K key 810 is pressed, the screen changes again to FIG. 6(E) and the KP can be confirmed.

Next, the case when the output direction key 802 is pressed in FIG. 6(A) will be described.

When the output direction key 802 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG.
Control returns to the screen shown in Figure (A).

Next, when you press the font size key 803 in Figure 6 (A), the 6th
Figure (G) is displayed, 2mm key 822, 4mm key
When one of the keys 823 is selected and the OK key 824 is pressed, one of the font sizes is set, and then control returns to the screen shown in FIG. 6(A).

Next, details of the shading mode will be explained.

When the shading key 729 in FIG. 5(N) is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 6(CH) if the shading mode has not been set previously or as shown in FIG. 6(L) if the shading mode has been set is displayed. Liquid crystal display section 1
It is displayed on 23. Here, we will explain how to set a new shading mode.

In FIG. 6(H), the operator is the editor 213
Place the original against the original reference position of the coordinate entry canine 141 in the lower left corner above, and point with the touch pen 138 at one of the two diagonal points of the rectangular rear that you want to shade on the original, or use the touch panel entry holder. - Press 825.

When the touch panel input key 825 is pressed, the sixth
The screen shown in Figure (J) is displayed, and the area to be shaded can be set using the X and Y coordinates (in mm units) from the desired reference point of the document. On the other hand, if one point on the diagonal of the area in FIG. 6(H) is input using the touch pen 138, FIG.
The screen shown in 1) is displayed, and after inputting the other diagonal point with the touch pen 138, pressing the OK key 826 determines the area to be shaded. In the figure, the approximate position of the input point is displayed on the left side of the liquid crystal display section 123, and control is such that pressing the clear key 827 cancels the input point and resets the area.

OK key 826 in Figure 6 (1) or O in Figure 6 (J)
When the K main key 28 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 6(K) is displayed, and the set area is displayed in the area display section 832 on the left.
The pattern set is displayed on the pattern display section 833 in the center.

Here, 834 is a pattern select key, in which several types of shading patterns are registered, and by pressing this key 834, registered pattern l → registered pattern 2 →...
...→Registered pattern N→Registered pattern 1→Registered pattern 2, each pattern is displayed in the central halftone pattern display area in a size of 32×32 dat. Also,
When the touch panel input key 835 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 6(J) is displayed, and the shaded area can be reset. When you press the OK key 836 in Figure 6 (K), Figure 6 (L) appears.
You can specify the size of the pattern to be shaded or use the size keys 838° and 839, and click OK.
When the key 837 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 6(M) is displayed, and the density of the pattern to be shaded can be selected by
This is possible using 841.

Next, image processing operations using the character mode and halftone mode set in this manner will be described. CP in Figure 10
The processing procedure of U210 is shown. Further, the configuration of the add-on image generation circuit 206 is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

First, let us consider the case of outputting the character string shown in FIG. 6(B) in character mode.

Copy start key after manual power (SIOI), CPU210
expands the font data corresponding to the character code information stored in the RAM 215 from the add-on font ROM 215 to the add-on RAM 205, which is a bitmap memory. At this time, if it is written vertically (SIIO
), the vertical writing font (Sill) of the add-on font ROM 215, and if it is horizontal writing, the horizontal writing font (S112).

In this embodiment, in order to read out an 8 x 8 dot font, the add-on RAM 205 stores the character area 8 in FIG. 6(B).
04 has sufficient capacity for the maximum number of characters that can be displayed. FIG. 11(1) shows how the character string in FIG. 6(B) is developed in the add-on RAM 205. In the same figure, “
1234'' (12 characters worth of blank space may not be output), so it is developed as character input information of 2 characters vertically x 4 characters horizontally.

For this add-on RAM 205, the add-on image generation circuit 206 has addresses a, a+ in FIG. 11(1).
8. a+16. When the font data stored in the order of a+24 is read out, it becomes one main scanning line, and then 1 is added to each address to read out the font data stored in the order of a+1. a+9. When read as a+17°a+25, the font data of the next main scanning line is output, and by repeating this operation, the binarized 8th font data is output.
Image data corresponding to the diagram can be obtained.

Furthermore, by controlling the clock when reading the add-on RAM 205, it is possible to change the character size.
．． It can output at a resolution of 400dpi, so 8 x 8
If you output the dot font at 50dpi resolution, it will be about 4
m m, similarly 8 x 8 dot font 100
If output is performed at a resolution of dpi, characters can be output with a size of approximately 2 mm, and this character size is selected in Fig. 6 (G). Furthermore, by adding means for outputting the image information corresponding to "O" corresponding to "l" of the binary data read from the add-on RAM 205 at a specified density, it becomes possible to realize character density. However, the character input mode does not allow the operator to make this setting and forces the output to be black.

The CPU 210 calculates the number of main scanning characters "4" from the input string of FIG. 6(B) as described above, and sets the main scanning character number latch 42
Set to 8 (8114). This allows add-on RA
The reading order of M205 is determined. Next, the resolution corresponding to the character size mentioned above is set in the resolution latch 429 (5115), and the density of the image information corresponding to "1" read out from the add-on RAM 205 is set in the add-on density latch 422 (specifically, black 256), which corresponds to
0 is set so that document image information is output corresponding to "O" read from 05 (S116). Note that the specified density has been read from the latch add-on RAM 205.
It is possible to set the density of the image information corresponding to Om, and the selector 436 can selectively output the above-mentioned original image information, but in this embodiment, the selector 436 selects the A input and always outputs the original image information. I decide to choose.

Next, the main scanning start position of the image information to be added on, specifically data corresponding to Yout in FIG. 8, is set in the main scanning start latch 437 (S117).

Specifically, the CPU 210 calculates the ripple carry output timing of the main scanning counter 435 and sets it in the main scanning start key latch 437 as the card value of the counter 435. Here, the main scanning counter 435 receives the BD signal (
An initial value is loaded from the latch 437 by the main scanning reference signal) and counting is started. The RC signal output from the counter 435 becomes the add-on main scanning start signal corresponding to Yout in FIG. In addition, the sub-scanning start position Xout and the number of sub-scanning characters in the start position and set the add-on sub-scanning section signal ADGA.
Enable TE to be generated (Sl18). If other editing modes such as scaling shift and trimming are selected (8119), parameters corresponding to those editing modes are set in the image processing circuit 202 (5120).
Thereafter, the document is read and scanned the number of times required for the copying operation (S121.5123).

With the above, as shown in Figure 8, it is possible to obtain a printout in which characters of a desired size and density are synthesized at a desired position on an output sheet.

The operation of the add-on image generation circuit 206 during this copying operation will be explained.

One pulse of the signal PSNC indicating the beginning of the main scanning l line generated from the BD multiplied signal is input from the input section 401 . Then, the main scanning character number counter 403 is initialized by setting the flip-flop 402, and the flip-flop 408 is reset, and the enable signals of the main scanning character number counter 403 and the resolution counter 414 become L. When the image information reaches the position where the main scanning counter 435 starts outputting font data to be added on in one line, it becomes the input section 404. When one block of signal LST is input, the main scanning character number counter 403 is set to 1 by setting the flip-flop 405. Also, the resolution counter 414 is initialized and the shift register 4 is counted up.
19, one byte of add-on information (in the example of FIG. 11(1), the information at address a) is loaded from the add-on RAM 205.

The resolution counter 414 counts down sequentially from the initial value, and the decoder 416 determines whether the lower 36A are all 0, and every time the lower 36A becomes 0, the shift register 419QH is counted down.
Binarized add-on information is output bit by bit.

Here, the data Q read from the add-on RAM 205
When H is "l", A is selected from the selector 426,
The add-on density set from the add-on density latch 422 is output to the printer 204 from a signal line 427.

Conversely, if the data QH read from the add-on RAM 205 is "0", the selector 426 selects B, and if the mode latch 436 is set to 0, the input line 435
The original density input from the input source is selected by the selector 436 and output from the latch 425.

When 1 byte worth of add-on information is output from the shift register 419 in this way, the resolution counter 414 is
, C, the main scanning character number counter 403 counts up by one, and the resolution counter 414 is initialized again. The next 1 byte of add-on information (information at address a+8 in the example of FIG. 11(1)) is loaded into the shift register 419.

In this way, the number of characters in the main scanning l line is counted by the main scanning character number counter 403, and when the set value of the main scanning character number latch 428 (4 in FIG. 8) is reached, H is output from the comparator 409, and the resolution counter 414 stops. At this time, even if designated density information is selected by the mode latch 436, the original density is selected from the input line 435 by closing the gate 433. The same process is repeated for the next main scanning line.

Further, switching of the resolution is executed by controlling the output value from the counter 414 to the 0 data 416. For example, the output value from the resolution counter 414 is gated, and in order to lower the resolution, it is shifted upward by 1 bit. Also, in this case, the resolution counter 4
It is necessary to apply similar control to No. 14 R and C.

A circuit for accessing add-on information developed on the RAM 205 shown in FIG. 13 will be described. First, latch 52
The add-on start address (a in FIG. 11) is set to 0 by the signal line 509, and the jump value of the address (4×8=32 in the example of FIG. 8) is set to the latch 521 by the signal line 510.

Further, the input section 502 receives the same signal PSNC at the beginning of the main scanning line 1 as the input section 401 described above, and the number of main scanning characters from the main scanning character number counter 403 is inputted from the signal line 512. However, addon address 51
5, the signal line 514 has the lower 3 bits.

The lower 4 bits or more are output from the signal line 512. Further, a sub-scanning direction address interval signal ADGATE set by the CPU 210 is input to the input unit 501 .

To explain the flow of addresses here, first, the input section 501
L is input to the counter 511, and the latch 520 is input to the counter 511.
Start address a is loaded from , and output as add-on address 515 . Next, each time the number of main scanning characters is counted, the lower 4 bits of the input line 512 are
Add-on address 515 because the number of characters increases from the beginning
is a+8. a+16. a+24... is output. When one main scanning line of data stored in the add-on RAM 205 is accessed in this manner, one block is input from the input section 502, and the address counter 505 counts up by one. Then, 1 is added to the output of add-on address 515, and the address becomes a+1. a+9. a+1
It is accessed as 7. Repeat this one after another a+7. a+
15. ..., address counter 5
R and C are output from 05, and the latch 52 is placed on the counter 511.
An additional value of 32 is added from 1, resulting in a+32. a+40. a+
48... is accessed.

Next, the copying operation in the shaded mode will be explained.

Note that the explanation will focus on the differences from the character mode.

The output position in the character mode is the position relative to the paper to be output, whereas in the shading mode the output position is the position in Figure 6 ().
The areas set in steps (), (1), and (J) are for the original document, and differ from the areas for output paper due to scaling and movement processing. The add-on image information outputted as described above is synthesized by the synthesis circuit 203 with the document image information that has been subjected to scaling and movement processing by the image processing circuit 202. Accordingly, the add-on image information specifies the output position on the recording material without being influenced by data on scaling and movement of the document.

However, although this is convenient in text mode, in shaded mode the specified area is different from the output area, so
Adding this conversion is very different from character mode. Also, having add-on image data corresponding to the entire shaded area in the add-on RAM 205 is the same as holding add-on image data in a bitmap, so 8
All of the pattern information consisting of 8 dots is written into the add-on RAM 205 of (maximum number of main scanning characters x 8) bytes, and this is read out in the same procedure as the read operation of the add-on RAM 205 in the character mode described above. In addition, in the shaded mode, the add-on RAM 205 is used to output pattern information to the entire specified
The readout is repeated a plurality of times, and the readout output is gated by the sub-scanning section signal ADGATE.

Below, using FIG. 14, the X-direction magnification Z according to FIG. 5 (B)
o o m X, Y direction magnification Z o o rh
Y, specified movement Xs, Ys and 6th according to Fig. 5 (J)
Shaded area (xQ, yo), (x, ,
Y, ) (7) Time will be explained. In FIG. 14 (1), the original document (2) is an output sheet on which a printout is made.

As mentioned above, the image processing circuit 202
X.

The right-down diagonal line image 900 in FIG. 14(2), which has been subjected to the zooming process using Z o o m Y and the movement process using Xs and Ys, is output. Therefore, in the add-on image generation unit 206, (X2!Y2) in FIG. 14(2)
It is necessary to generate a shading pattern in the area 901 of ~(X3.Y3), and the area coordinates are X2=Xs×X(,XZoomX, Y2=Ys×Y6
Y.

Calculate as X3 = Xs + X I XZoomX, Y3 = Xs + Y I XZoomY (S108). still,(
Xo, yo), (x+.

Y+) are the coordinates of the shaded area set in FIG. 6 (H), (I), and (J).

Next, the number of patterns in the main scanning direction (number of characters in the main scanning direction) is (X
3 x 2) and shading pattern size (resolution)
Calculate further (S109). Note that the main scanning start position is Y2, and the sub-scanning section signal is X2. X, to generate 5117
．． 3118), the same 8 x 8 dot pattern selected on the screen of FIG. 6(L) as shown in FIG. 11(2) is written into the add-on RAM 205. Then, in the circuit shown in FIG. By controlling the readout of the add-on RAM 205 so that it returns to the initial value when it reaches the final value, all 8×8 dot patterns are written in the add-on RAM 205, so the same pattern is repeatedly output in the sub-scanning direction.However, Since it is ultimately gated by the sub-scanning direction interval signal ADGATE, the output sheet can be overlaid with a halftone pattern at the position desired by the operator.

In this way, even if the original image is processed by automatically correcting the appearance area on the output paper of the shading pattern specified on the original in accordance with processing such as scaling or moving the original image, It becomes possible to shade a desired document image area.

Also, the size of the shaded pattern is an enlargement of the manuscript.

This can be specified independently of reduction, and desired shading processing can be performed.

In this embodiment, the add-on RAM 205. The screen of the liquid crystal operation unit 123 can be output using the add-on image generation circuit 206.

The advantages of printing out the screen are shown in Figure 17 (
Mask only the date part of the original with the date shown in A) using area masking as shown in Figure 17 (B), and enter a new date in the masked area as shown in Figure 17 (C). Let's consider an example.

First, set the date part to be masked on the screen shown in Figure 5 (C), (D), (E), and (F) in the area specification mode, and then set the date part to be masked in the x and y directions respectively in Figure 5 (F). The data of X4=150. Y4=270. Let X, =200°Y, =280. The result of outputting the screen of FIG. 5(F) using the printout function is shown in FIG. 17(D).

The operator presses the character input key 134, inputs new date data, selects the font size and output direction, and then refers to the output result of this printout function and prints out the data in Figure 6 (E).
) screen, select the character output reference position KP (Xor Ya)
is X4≦X6≦x5. y4≦Y6≦Y5, and data based on character size and character length (X7.yy) is X4≦X7≦
x6. It may be set so that Y4≦Y7≦Y6.

At this time, if this printout function is not available, the mask area data of the area mode will be temporarily displayed on the LCD operation unit 123 during the setting of the character input mode, and after checking the area data on the screen shown in Figure 5 (F), The character input mode screen shown in FIG. 6(E) was displayed again, and the respective position data were compared as described above, which resulted in a decrease in work efficiency.

The printout function will be explained below using one embodiment, but first the crystal controller 224 and the CP
Display control with U210 will be explained with reference to FIG. The liquid crystal 223 is 240 dots x 64 dots, 8
X8dot font can be displayed as 30x8 font. Inside the liquid crystal controller 224, there is a 30x8x2byte that stores 2byte code information corresponding to the display position.
te code RAM 605.3 corresponding to 1 dot unit
0x8byte graphic RAM606, similarly 1d
Attribute R that stores inverted 1 blink information in at units
There is AM607, and by integrating all these three pieces of information,
There is a VRAM 604 in dat units that is displayed on the liquid crystal, and this data is sent to a row driver 602. Column driver 603
is displayed.

Further, the CPU interface unit 600 communicates with the CPU 210, and the system control unit 601 analyzes command data from the CPU interface unit 600 and controls the system.

19 and 20 show the operating procedure of the CPU 210, which will be explained. When the CPU 210 displays a new screen on the liquid crystal 223, it outputs a command to clear the liquid crystal screen (S200). System control unit 60
1 receives this command and loads 4 RAMV RAM
604, ml-doram605. Graphic RAM
606, clearing the contents of the attribute RAM 607;

The display information of the fixed part of the screen to be displayed next is stored in the ROM214.
, and write it to the code RAM 605 (S20
1). Next, if there is numerical information such as area data, movement data, etc. on the variable part of the screen to be displayed (S2
02), after conversion to display information (S203), code RAM
605 (S204). Next, when displaying the shape of the area as shown in the left part of Fig. 5 (C) (S205)
, after converting the area data to the coordinate system of the LCD screen (8206
) is written to the graphic RAM 606 as graphic information (S207). Next, if the displayed screen includes the inverted display of the trimming key in the figure or the blinking cursor in Figure 6 (B) (3208), after converting to screen information (
S209), output to the attribute RAM 607 (
S210).

The screen information output in this way is stored in the screen display RAM (VR
AM) l: Expand and display command (S211) l::
displayed on the LCD screen.

To print out the screen displayed like this,
All you have to do is press the printout key 150 in FIG. CPU
When 210 detects that the printout key 150 has been pressed (S300), it outputs a command to the liquid crystal controller 224 to read the contents of the VRAM 604.
01), the bit pattern of the currently displayed liquid crystal screen is developed into the add-on RAM 205 (5302 and 5303).

Note that the contents of the liquid crystal font ROM are raw scan font data, and the result when expanded to the add-on RAM 205 and output is vertically output. The printer in this embodiment has an A3 (297 x 420 mm) paper cassette 15.
, B4 (257X364).

A4 (297X210), B5 (257X182
) can be set in 4 different paper sizes, 3 for one screen.
0x8 font size is 1 font 4 mm
Main scanning is 30X even when expressed at the maximum font size of 4 mm.
4=120mm.

The sub-scanning is 8x4=32 mrn, and it is possible to output to all paper sizes.

The CPU 210 checks whether the printer is capable of outputting, and if it is in an error state such as out of paper or out of toner (S305), a warning display is displayed on the LCD operation section 123 (5306), and after a certain period of time (S307). .8308),
Redisplay the printout screen again (5309),
Wait for the pronto out key human power again.

Also, if automatic paper selection is currently selected (S31
0), the smallest paper size set in the cassette, that is, B5. A4. B4. The paper size is selected in the order of A3 (3311). If automatic paper selection is not selected, the paper size currently selected by the cassette selection key 117 is selected.

For the paper size (3312) selected in this way,
An output reference position is calculated so that the screen is output at the center of the output paper (S313). In this example, the uppercase font size of the printout function is the maximum font size of 4 m.
m is fixed, and the resolution for this is determined by the resolution latch 42.
Set 9 (5314), set black to density latch 422 (S315), number of main scanning characters 30 (5316)
, the main scanning start position (S317) and the sub-scanning section signal ADGATE are set (S318), and the sheet feeding and image forming operations (S319 and 5320) are performed without scanning the optical system. At this time, the COD is controlled so that unnecessary image data is not output.

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal controller 224. Although the configuration of the liquid crystal font 2251 and the liquid crystal 223 has been described, the purpose of this is to use a wide variety of display commands for the liquid crystal 223, and it is also possible to replace the liquid crystal with a CRT.

Further, although an example for copying has been given, it can also be applied to FAX and the like.

The above configuration is more effective when combined with a help function using the display section.

The help function will be explained below using a specific example. In order to operate the help function, the screen of the mode in which you want help,
For example, on the screens shown in FIGS. 5(G) to 5(K), the help key 151 in FIG. 3 is pressed. As a result, the screen shown in FIG. 21(a) is displayed on the liquid crystal operation unit 123, and when you press the key that requires explanation in the same figure and press the OK key after highlighting it, the screen shown in FIG. 21(b) -
An explanation mode screen for the selected key as shown in (C) is displayed. Also, if you select explanations for multiple functions, the selected screens will be displayed by pressing the OK key one after another, and if all the selected screens are displayed, the screen in Figure 5 (G) will be displayed again. and is controlled so that setting operations can be performed immediately.

By combining this help function and printout function,
After using the help function to print out a mode that you are unsure about how to set up or use, you can return the screen to the setting screen and use it as a reference to help you set up the settings, or to redisplay the explanation screen. There is no need to do this (this improves work efficiency).

In the above explanation, the purpose is to print out the screen, but the purpose of using the liquid crystal controller 224 is to use the abundant commands of the controller, and the display data that makes up the screen is mainly stored in the ROM 214. has been done.

The information to be printed out is not necessarily limited to what is displayed on the screen.
It is also possible to store it in M214 and output it when necessary. For example, if information about paper-free notices and toner-free notices is printed out, the information can be reliably conveyed to the operator.

Hereinafter, an example of a printer having a function of detecting an out-of-toner notice will be considered using the flowchart of FIG. 22.

When the printout key 150 is pressed (S400), the CPU 210 performs the printout operation as described above (S401), and when the start key 101 is pressed (S402), the CPU 210 executes the image forming operation for the required number of sheets using the operation section. 21
This is done in the copy mode set from 2 (S403),
During this image forming operation, when toner out warning information indicating that toner is about to run out is received by the toner out warning function (S404), a toner out warning flag is set ((S405)).

After the image forming operation for the required number of sheets is completed (S403), if the toner out warning flag is not set, the copy key enters the manual waiting state again, and on the other hand, if the toner out warning flag is set, the printout described above is performed. By applying the function, the text expressing the toner out notice is expanded from the ROM to the add-on RAM 205, and parameters such as output position, output character size, output density, number of main scanning characters, etc. are set, and the text expressing the toner out notice is written as shown in Figure 23. After outputting the printed recording paper to the top of the tray 23 of the printer 35 (5407) and resetting the toner out warning flag (8408), the system enters the state of waiting for manual input of the start key again. According to this embodiment, when the operator receives the output result from the tray 23, the toner out notice information can be reliably conveyed to the operator, as compared to when the toner out notice is notified to the operator using the display unit.

It is even better if the operator is notified using both means.

In the examples given so far, one piece of information (one screen) was provided for one sheet of output paper, but the font size was set to 4 m.
If m is the A4 size (297 x 210), information for 6 screens can be output. An example in which multiple pieces of information are output at once by utilizing this fact will be described below.

As the modes of the image processing system become more complex, it is impossible to display the details of the set mode to the operator at once using the liquid crystal operation section 123 and the operation section 212.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, in order to compensate for this drawback, an LED (not shown) is used in the mode operation section 143 in FIG. If the operator wants to check the details of the mode, press each mode key and press the LCD operation panel 12.
The method used was to check the details in step 3.

In this embodiment, detailed contents of the mode are displayed using the scrolling function of the liquid crystal, and are printed out using the printout function.

According to the printout function of this mode, the operator can use the output result of the printout function without displaying each mode or taking notes of each mode.
This can be confirmed visually, and when setting the same mode again, the output result can be used as a reference to set the mode, improving work efficiency.

FIG. 24 shows an example of details of the mode. The amount of displayed details of the mode may vary slightly depending on the mode settings. Similarly, service parameters can be displayed and printed out, and information such as the total number of prints and the number of jams can be obtained. The process will be explained below using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.

In order to prevent mixing with other examples, mode display, printing,
Viewing and printing service data is considered an individual function.
Figure 3 *Press key 102 (5500), character input surface 1
43 with capital letters “MODEDISP” and “MODEPRI”
NT''', '5RVDISP', '5RVPRI
NT” (S501, 3502, 5
503° 5504), each mode is executed. for example"
MODEDISP", the screen shown in FIG. 24 is displayed on the LCD operation section 123 at regular intervals, and the screen changes one after another ((S506). At this time, the printout key 150 is also pressed. When pressed (S505
) It is also possible to print out the currently displayed screen.

Next, if 'MODEPRINT' is input (S
502), while displaying screens one after another on the LCD screen 123,
Read the display data from the VRAM mentioned above and add-on R
5507), various parameters for printing out are set (S508), and the operation ends (S5509).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, by printing out necessary information during mode setting, it becomes easier to set the mode and improves work efficiency. Additionally, the function to print out mode details allows you to refer to it when making the same or similar settings.

[Brief Description of the Drawings] Fig. 1 is an external view of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the copying machine shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an external view of a league, and Fig. 4 is an external view of the copying machine shown in Fig. 1. FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 21 are diagrams showing the display state of the liquid crystal display section; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the character input procedure; FIG.
Figures 14, 16, and 17 are diagrams showing output examples, Figure 9 is a diagram showing a character input screen, Figure 10 is a flowchart diagram showing the procedure of copying operation, and Figure 11 is an add-on RAM. Figure 12 shows the contents of
Figures 13 and 15 are diagrams showing the configuration of the add-on image generation circuit, Figure 18 is a diagram showing the internal configuration circuit of the liquid crystal controller, Figure 19 is a flow chart diagram showing the display procedure, and Figure 20 is a diagram showing the internal configuration circuit of the liquid crystal controller.
Figure 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure for outputting the screen, Figure 22 is a flowchart showing the outputting procedure of printout information, Figure 23 is the output state, Figure 24 is a display example, Figure 25 123 is a diagram showing a display control procedure, 123 is a liquid crystal display section, 134 is a character input key, 1138 is a touch panel,
141 is a coordinate input surface, 143 is a character input surface, 205 is an add-on RAM, 206 is an add-on image generation circuit, 210
is the CPU. No wo 夷 5 destination 5 7 Z O Z 3 R Figure 5 Figure 6 Fork man 6 Figure 6/Z 4 fiit 勺 (1) (Yo) Figure 22 Procedure Supplement E Book (Method) % formula %) Incident display Heisei 1 Year Patent Application Name of Invention Image Processing System Corrector Tsuyoshi Daiden 7 De Residence Name Case Patent Applicant 3-3O-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo (100) Canon Co., Ltd. Representative Takashi Yamaji Address of the third agent: 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo 148 Name Canon Co., Ltd. (Telephone: 758-2111) (898)
7) Patent Attorney Gi Marushima - Oral Drawing Figure 7, content of amendment Figure 3 of the drawing is divided into Figure 3 and Figure 3 Part 2 as shown in the attached sheet. as well as

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) It has a reading means for reading an image, a display means for displaying an image processing mode, a generating means for generating character information, and a forming means for forming an image, and the screen displayed by the display means is transmitted from the generating means. An image processing system characterized in that an image forming means is used to output character information.