JPH02282878A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To confirm whether a parameter is surely read or not and to prevent occurrence of the reading errors by performing a reporting action only when the parameter is surely read by an image scanner. CONSTITUTION:The parameter information read by an image scanner 2 is converted into the data on a binary picture by a binarizing circuit 8 and then converted into a parameter setting character code by a character code conversion means 10. A control part 24 recognizes the parameters of the magnifying power, the gradation, etc., of pictures based on the character code. In this case, the part 24 rejects other commands if the highest priority is set to the parameter that is designated by the scanner 2. Then the part 24 recognizes a prescribed parameter necessary for a picture process and registers it in an internal register. Thus the part 24 outputs a report signal. Thus it is possible to confirm each time whether the parameter is surely read or not and also to avoid reading errors.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to an image processing device equipped with an image scanner.

<Prior Art> Conventionally, dedicated readers have been used to read information such as barcodes, OCR characters, mark cards, etc. attached to products, etc. In this case, the data associated with the barcode etc. is mainly information such as the name, type, and price of the item. - On the other hand, an image scanner using a solid-state image sensor (CCD) or the like is used to read images. The image data obtained in this case is image information that has been subjected to processing such as binarization. In this way, information such as barcodes and image information have different information attributes, so
Conventionally, there has been no dual-purpose device that can read and process information such as barcodes and image information together, and therefore, processing such as adding information based on barcodes etc. to image information in a separate association has not been performed. It wasn't.

Therefore, in the conventional technology, when reading image information stored in an external storage device such as a floppy disk and outputting it to an output device such as a CRT monitor or printer, it is necessary to It was necessary to key in the drawing numbers, etc. one by one. In this case, if the number to be input manually has a large number of digits, not only will the manual key operation become complicated, but it will also cause troubles such as incorrect key operation and entering a different number than the desired number, making it time-consuming to manually input the keys. was.

In order to eliminate the need for such manual key operations, it is conceivable to connect a barcode reader and an image scanner to a host computer separately and store the image information in association with each other. If this configuration is adopted, a dedicated reader for barcodes, OCR characters, etc. and an image scanner must be used separately, which not only lacks operability but also makes the entire device expensive.

Therefore, the inventors discovered that a single image scanner can be used to read information such as barcodes and image information, and that information based on barcodes, etc. can be individually associated with the read image information. The present invention provides an image processing device that allows image information to be read out simply by reading information such as a barcode without the need for manual keystrokes (patent application). (See No. 63-233326).

According to this image processing device, a single image scanner can be used to read barcodes, OCR characters, mark cards, etc. and to read image information, so a dedicated barcode reader and image scanner can be used separately. It is possible to construct a system that is not only superior in operability but also inexpensive compared to the case where the system is installed in the system. Moreover, information based on barcodes, etc. is stored in memory in association with the image information read, so if you want to read out the desired image information, you do not have to manually press the key (read the barcode etc. with a Tera image scanner). Image information can be retrieved instantly.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, the present inventors further studied the above image processing apparatus and found that the following problems remained.

■To process images read with an image scanner,
It may be necessary to set parameters necessary for image processing, such as image magnification, gradation, halftone display, processing range, and the like. To set such parameters, it is conceivable to convert the parameter information into barcodes or OCR characters, and to set the parameters by reading the barcodes, OCR characters, etc. with an image scanner. However, since this type of parameter is registered in the internal circuit of the control unit that executes image processing, the user cannot recognize whether or not the parameter has been reliably registered. That is, when reading a barcode with an image scanner, for example, if the barcode is poorly traced, the barcoded parameter information cannot be reliably read. Even in this case, the error in parameter reading is not notified externally, so image processing continues with the incorrect parameters, and when the image is output to an output device such as a printer, it may not match the expected image. This may cause problems such as discrepancies.

■It would be convenient to set image processing parameters using dedicated setting keys and to set parameters by reading barcodes, OCR characters, etc. using an image scanner, since this would increase the degree of freedom in parameter setting. However, in this case, if the parameter settings using the parameter setting keys overlap with the settings of each parameter based on reading barcodes, etc. with the image scanner, it may become confusing as to which parameters should be registered when performing image processing. As a result, incorrect parameters will be registered, resulting in the same problem as in item (2) above.

(2) In the conventional system, when connecting to an external device such as a host computer to execute image processing, no consideration is given to matching parameters necessary for image processing between the two. Therefore, when transferring an image scanned by an image scanner to an external device such as a host computer and performing various image processing on the external device, if the parameter settings differ from the image processing on the external device side, the image cannot be read by the image scanner. Even if the image is transferred to an external device, desired image processing may not be performed smoothly.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and includes a method of checking each time whether parameters have been reliably read by an image scanner. In addition, it is possible to increase the priority of image processing parameter settings to avoid parameter reading errors.Furthermore, while the set parameters can be checked on an external device, it is also possible to set the parameters from an external device. This allows image processing to be performed smoothly.

Therefore, it consists of an image scanner and a main body processing section that processes the data read by the image scanner, and the image scanner includes an imaging means such as a CCD, and a 2-bit system that binarizes the image data taken by the imaging means. a digitization circuit, a character code conversion means for converting information such as barcodes and OCR characters imaged by the imaging means into character codes;
and a setting means having each mode setting key for respectively setting a code addition mode and an image search mode, and the main body processing section is configured to control the image after binarization according to the code addition mode set by the setting means. A code adding means adds a character code obtained based on a barcode, OCR character, etc. to data, and the output from this code adding means is stored in a memory and an image search mode set in a 6×5 setting. an image search means for searching and reading out image data from the memory based on information such as a barcode and OC11 characters photographed by the image pickup means; and an output for outputting the read image data. An image processing apparatus including the equipment has the following configuration.

That is, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, a parameter registration mode is set in the setting means for registering parameters such as enlargement ratio, shading, halftone display, etc. of an image read by an image scanner. While a setting key is provided, a notification signal is output in response to completion of reading parameters based on barcodes, OCR characters, etc. read by the image scanner under the parameter registration mode set with this parameter record mode setting key. The apparatus is equipped with a reading/recognizing means for reading and recognizing, and a notification means such as a lamp or a buzzer for converting the notification signal from the reading/recognizing means into light, sound, or the like.

In the image processing device according to the second aspect of the invention, the setting means includes image enlargement ratio, shading, medium flJ! Decide which of the parameter setting keys for setting parameters such as ff display, the parameter registration mode setting key for setting the registration mode of the parameters, and the settings of each parameter by the imaging means and the parameter setting keys should be given priority. Priority order setting keys are respectively provided, and priority registration means is provided for executing parameter registration processing according to the priority order set by the priority order setting keys.

The image processing device according to the third aspect of the invention includes an interface unit for manually outputting parameters such as image magnification, shading, and halftone display between the image processing device and the external device.

Effect> In the image processing device according to the first invention, when parameters based on barcodes, OCR characters, etc. are read with the image scanner under the parameter registration mode set with the parameter registration mode setting key, the reading is completed. In response, the recognition means outputs a notification signal. Then, the notification signal from the reading recognition means is converted into light, sound, etc. by a notification means such as a lamp or a buzzer, and is output.

Therefore, it is possible to check each time whether the parameters have been reliably read by the image scanner, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of reading errors.

In the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, the priority order setting key is used to determine in advance which of the settings of each parameter made by the imaging means and the parameter setting key is to be prioritized. For example, if parameter setting by reading a barcode using an imaging device is given 6 priority over parameter setting by a parameter setting key, the parameter setting based on the barcode read by the imaging device is effective.
Even if parameters are set using the parameter setting keys, the command will not be accepted. Therefore, it is possible to avoid setting parameters that are 1g heavier.

In the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, setting data for image processing parameters can be accessed with an external device via an interface. Therefore, when transferring images read by an image scanner to an external device such as a postcomputer to perform various image processing,
Since the parameter settings match those of the image processing on the external device side, it becomes possible to transfer the image read by the image scanner as is to the external device side and smoothly execute the desired image processing.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the first invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 indicates the entire image processing apparatus, 2 is an image scanner, and 4 is a main body processing pH unit that processes data read by the image scanner 2.

The image scanner 2 includes an imaging means 6 such as a CCD, a binarization circuit 8 that binarizes the image data taken by the imaging means 6, and a character code that converts the barcode imaged by the imaging means 6 into a character code. The conversion means 10, the setting means 12 for setting each mode, parameters, etc., and the character = + -1: conversion means 1 (the combination of 1 and the code addition means 16 described below) according to the output from the setting means 12. A switching section 14 for switching the connection is provided.The setting means 12 described in L is provided.
In order to search for desired image data based on the code addition mode setting key 12a selected when adding a bar code to the image data that is successively captured by the image capturing means 6, the bar code read by the image capturing means 6 is used. If selected, an image search mode setting key 12b, a parameter setting key +2c for setting parameters such as image magnification, shading, halftone display 1, processing range, etc., a parameter registration mode setting key 12d, Imaging means 6, parameter setting key 12
c, a priority setting key 12e for deciding which of the six parameters set by the external device should be given priority, and a reset key 12 for returning the parameters to their initial values.
``Each is set up.

On the other hand, the main body processing section 4 includes a code addition means comprising a data buffer or the like that adds a corresponding 4 character code to the binarized image data according to the code addition mode set by the setting means I2. 16, a memory 18 for storing the output from this code adding means 16, a battery 19 for backing up this memory 8, and a memory 19 for storing the output from the code adding means 16; An image search means 20 that searches and reads out image data from the memory 18 based on the barcode, an output device 22 such as a CRT monitor or printer that displays the image data read out by the image search means 20, and an external device such as a post computer. Image magnification, shading, halftone display,
An interface section 23 for inputting and outputting parameters such as a processing target range, a control section 24, and a buzzer 25 as a notification means are provided. It is also possible to use a lamp or the like instead of the buzzer 25. The shoe control unit 24 is configured by the setting means 1
2-6 setting keys 12a to t2e, the binarization circuit 8, the switching unit 14,
Each operation of the code adding means I6, the image searching means 20, and the buzzer 25 is controlled. Then, this control section 24
In the claims, a notification signal is output in response to completion of parameter continuation based on a barcode read by the image scanner 2 in the parameter registration mode and the parameter σ record mode -F set with the setting key +2d. and a priority registration stage that executes parameter registration processing according to the priority set by the priority setting key 12e.

Next, the operation of the bipedal image processing apparatus I will be explained with reference to flowchart 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In order to individually add and store barcode information to images, it is necessary to register in advance the settings of parameters such as image enlargement ratio, shading, halftone display, processing target range, etc.
When registering these parameters, decide whether to give priority to parameter settings by successively reading barcodes with the imaging means 6, parameter settings using the parameter setting key 12C, or parameter settings from an external device. You need to turn on the power supply.
Then, the flag is set to "l" (stenob Sl).

Next, press the parameter registration mode setting key +
2d to set it to parameter registration mode. In this parameter registration mode, the control unit 24 reads a priority setting signal input from the priority setting key 12e (step S4). For example, the priority order of parameter settings is determined as follows: (1) specification by the image scanner 2, (2) specification by the parameter setting key 12c, and (2) specification from an external device. When the control unit 24 recognizes the priority order set in this way (step S5), it waits for manual input of the parameters. Note that if the registration of parameters by the image scanner 2 is given top priority, the control unit 24
sends a switching signal to the switching section 14 and connects the binarization circuit 8 to the character code conversion means IO.

To register the parameters by reading the barcode with the M&image means 6, the barcode 1- is traced with the image scanner 2 to read the barcoded parameter information (step S8). After the parameter information is converted into binary image data by the binarization circuit 8, the switching unit 14
The data is sent to the character code converter ()O via the character code conversion means). Then, the character code conversion means IO converts the information of the read barcode into a corresponding character code for parameter setting. Then, the data of this character code is transferred to the control unit 24 of the main body processing unit 4, so that the control unit 24 recognizes parameters such as the magnification rate and shading of the image based on this character code (step S9). In that case, if the parameter designation by the image scanner 2 is set as having the highest dredging destination priority using the priority order setting key 12e, the parameters are designated by the external device or by the parameter setting key 12c in step S6 and step S7. Even if it is set, the control unit 24 will not accept the command. Note that if the parameter setting using the parameter setting key 12c has the highest priority, that command will be registered in the control unit 24 (step SIO), but the camera setting from the imaging means 6 or external equipment will not be accepted. do not have.

Then, when the control unit 24 recognizes that it is a predetermined parameter necessary for image processing and registers it in the internal renostar (step 5ll), the control unit 24 subsequently outputs a notification signal to the buzzer 25. (Step 512)
. As a result, the buzzer 25 sounds, allowing the operator to know that the predetermined parameter has been correctly registered in the control unit 24. If the buzzer 25 does not sound, it can be determined that the barcode was read incorrectly, so the operator can trace the barcode with the image scanner 2 again to read the parameters.

Furthermore, even if the parameters have been registered and the buzzer 25 sounds, if the format of the parameters is changed, the desired image will not be obtained even if the image is output to an output device such as a printer. In such a case, when the reset key 121 of the setting means 12 is operated to give a reset signal (step 513), the parameters registered inside the control section 24 are returned to their initial values (step 514).

When information such as a barcoded drawing number is added to the image data read by the imaging means 6 and registered, a code addition mode setting signal is generated from the code addition mode setting key 12a of the setting means 12. and is given to the control unit 24 (step 540).In response to this signal, the control unit 24
determines whether the flag is “0” (step 541
). If the flag is 1", the connection of the switching unit 14 is switched to connect the binarization circuit 14 to the code adding means 16 (step 542). Next, the image is read by the image scanner 2 (step 543). After the data is converted into binary image data by the binarization circuit 8, the switching unit 14
The data is transferred to the code adding means 16 on the main body processing section 4 side via (step 544).

At this time, the control section 24 controls the code adding means 16 to temporarily store the binarized image data.

Then, the control unit 24 sets the flag to 0'' (step 545).

Subsequently, the control section 24 determines whether the flag is "0" or not (step 541), and if the flag is "0", switches the connection of the switching section 14 to change the binarization circuit 14 to the character code conversion means 10. Connect (step 547). Therefore, when the barcode is read by the image scanner 2 (step 848), the barcode is read by the binarization circuit 8.
After the image data is converted into binary image data, the switching unit 14
is sent to the character code converting means 10 via the character code converter 10, where it is converted into a corresponding character code. Then, this character code data is transferred to the code addition means 16 on the main body processing section 4 side (step 549). According to the timing, the control unit 24 gives a code addition command to the code addition means I6, so the code addition means 16 adds a character code corresponding to the barcode to the image data (step 550).
. The image data to which this character code has been added is processed by the control unit 2.
4 is stored in the next stage memory 18 (step 5
51).

On the other hand, if it is desired to continue displaying desired image data using the barcode, the image search mode setting key +2b of the setting means 12 is operated to output an image search mode setting signal. When the control unit 24 enters this image search mode (step 530), it first sends a switching signal to the switching unit 14 (step 531), and then switches the binarization circuit 8 to the character code 1-1.
It is connected to the conversion means 10. Next, when the image scanner 2 is scanned and the barcode is read (step 532),
The barcode information is converted into 2(^) image data by the binarization circuit 8, and then sent to the character code conversion means 10 via the switching unit 14.The character code conversion means IO The information of the read barcode is converted into a corresponding character code for parameter setting.Then,
This character code data is transferred to the main body processing section 4 side. The control unit 24 controls the image search means 2 according to the timing.
In response to this, the image searching means 20 searches for image data in the memory 18 corresponding to that character code (step 533). If image data corresponding to the character code exists in the memory 18, the image searching means 20 reads out the image data (step 534) and transfers the image data to the output device 2322 (step 535). As a result, an image corresponding to the barcode read by the image scanner 2 is output to the output device 22.

In this embodiment, the case of reading barcodes has been described, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to reading OCR characters, mark cards, and the like.

<Effects of the Invention> In the image processing device of the present invention, according to the first invention,
The notification means notifies you only when the image scanner has reliably read the parameters, making it possible to confirm whether the parameters have been reliably read or not, thereby avoiding the occurrence of reading errors. be able to.

Further, according to the second invention, since the priority order of parameter settings can be set in advance using the priority order setting key, it is possible to avoid duplicate parameter settings using the parameter setting keys or the image scanner. It would be possible to eliminate the possibility of setting errors occurring.

Furthermore, according to the third invention, since the image processing parameter setting data can be accessed with the external device via the interface, it is possible to match the parameter settings with the image processing on the external device side. As a result, the image read by the image scanner can be directly transferred to the external device and desired image processing can be smoothly executed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing device according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the device in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an image of the device in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart of the order in which data is output. I...Image processing device, 2...Image scanner, 1
- Main body processing section, 6 - Imaging means, 8 - Binarization circuit, 10
...Character code conversion means, I2...Setting means, 14
...Switching unit, I6...Code addition means, I8...
Memory, 20... Image search means, 22... Output device,
23 - Interface section, 24 - Control section (recognition means, priority registration means), 25 Buzzer (notification means).

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Consisting of an image scanner and a main processing unit that processes data read by the image scanner, the image scanner includes an imaging means such as a CCD, and binarizes the image data taken by the imaging means. Binarization circuit,
A character code conversion means for converting information such as barcodes and OCR characters captured by the imaging means into character codes, and a setting means having mode setting keys for respectively setting a code addition mode and an image search mode. , the main processing unit includes a code addition means for adding a character code obtained based on a barcode, an OCR character, etc. to the binarized image data according to the code addition mode set by the setting means; , a memory for storing the output from the code adding means, and image data is extracted from the memory based on information such as a barcode and OCR characters taken by the imaging means according to the image search mode set by the setting means. In an image processing apparatus that includes an image search means for searching and reading out, and an output device for outputting the image data read out by the image search means, the setting means includes settings such as magnification, shading, and intermediate values of the image read by the image scanner. A parameter registration mode setting key is provided to set a parameter registration mode for registering parameters such as tone display, etc., and a barcode is read by the image scanner under the parameter registration mode set by this parameter registration mode setting key. , a reading recognition means that outputs a notification signal in response to completion of reading parameters based on OCR characters, etc., and notification means such as a lamp, a buzzer, etc. that converts the notification signal from the reading recognition means into light, sound, etc. An image processing device characterized by: (2) Consisting of an image scanner and a main body processing unit that processes data read by the image scanner, the image scanner includes an imaging means such as a CCD, and binarizes the image data taken by the imaging means. Binarization circuit,
A character code conversion means for converting information such as barcodes and OCR characters captured by the imaging means into character codes, and a setting means having mode setting keys for respectively setting a code addition mode and an image search mode. , the main processing unit includes a code addition means for adding a character code obtained based on a barcode, an OCR character, etc. to the binarized image data according to the code addition mode set by the setting means; , a memory for storing the output from the code adding means, and image data is extracted from the memory based on information such as a barcode and OCR characters taken by the imaging means according to the image search mode set by the setting means. In an image processing apparatus that includes an image search means for searching and reading out, and an output device for outputting the image data read out by the image search means, the setting means includes settings such as image magnification, shading, halftone display, etc. A parameter setting key for setting a parameter, a parameter registration mode setting key for setting a registration mode of the parameter, and a priority setting key for determining which of the settings of each parameter by the imaging means and the parameter setting key should be prioritized. an image processing apparatus, further comprising priority registration means for executing parameter registration processing according to the priority order set by the priority order setting key. (3) Consisting of an image scanner and a main processing unit that processes data read by the image scanner, the image scanner includes an imaging means such as a CCD, and binarizes the image data taken by the imaging means. Binarization circuit,
A character code conversion means for converting information such as barcodes and OCR characters captured by the imaging means into character codes, and a setting means having mode setting keys for respectively setting a code addition mode and an image search mode. , the main processing unit includes a code addition means for adding a character code obtained based on a barcode, an OCR character, etc. to the binarized image data according to the code addition mode set by the setting means; , a memory for storing the output from the code adding means, and image data is extracted from the memory based on information such as a barcode and OCR characters taken by the imaging means according to the image search mode set by the setting means. In an image processing apparatus that includes an image search means for searching and reading out, and an output device for outputting the image data read out by the image search means, information such as image magnification, shading, halftone display, etc. is exchanged with an external device. An image processing device comprising an interface section for inputting and outputting parameters.