JPH0298277A - Picture processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain high speed retrieval and confirmation by writing a picture data corresponding to plural split storage areas of a storage means and reading out and displaying a prescribed data of each original continuously at the retrieval at high speed. CONSTITUTION:A picture data converted into an electric picture signal by a scanner 1 is expanded into a page memory 228 and the 1st page picture data as to plural originals is written in the 1st area of an optical disk and the picture data of the 2nd and succeeding pages are written in the 2nd area of the optical disk. Then directory information of an operation display section 4 is displayed at the display retrieval to select a file or the 1st page of each original is display sequentially on the separation display section 4 to confirm the content for the selection and the display for the retrieval is implemented at a high speed. Thus, high speed retrieval at copying is attained and the copying is implemented efficiently and quickly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and particularly to an image processing apparatus that quickly searches image data during image formation.

[Prior Art] In the image file system of a conventional image processing device, in order to efficiently search a huge amount of stored image data, a keyword search is generally performed by assigning a keyword to each image. There is.

In addition, if the image data to be searched cannot be specified using keywords alone, display the image data on a display device such as a CRT and select from among them, or use this display search method in combination with the keyword search method. A method is being taken to do so.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, in order to search for a desired image using only keywords, a large number of keywords are required, which makes image data registration and search operations complicated. was there.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a display search method in a conventional image processing device.

As shown in the figure, in the conventional display search method, for example, an optical disk 20 is used as a storage medium, and during a search, image data written on the optical disk 20 is read out and displayed on a display means such as a CRT. .

The display data 21 in this case is read out and displayed in order from the first page of document 1, and after displaying document 1, document 2 is read out and displayed in order from the first page. For this reason, if an attempt is made to continuously display only the first page of image data consisting of multiple pages of a document, the image data is read out intermittently, resulting in a drawback that it takes time to search.

The present invention has been made in view of the current state of this type of image processing apparatus as described above, and its purpose is to provide an image processing apparatus having a copying function between a paper original, a magnetic recording medium, and an optical recording medium. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device capable of searching and confirming an image already recorded in an image file of a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, etc. at high speed when copying.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a converting means for reading a predetermined image and converting it into an electrical image signal, a storage means for storing the electrical image signal as image data, An image processing device comprising an image forming means for forming a copy image based on the electric image signal, and a display means for displaying image data stored in the storage means, wherein the storage means has a plurality of storage areas. a writing device that divides the image data and stores the image data in a plurality of corresponding storage areas; and a reading display device that continuously reads the image data from one of the areas and displays it on the display device during a search. It is configured to have

[Operation] In the present invention, a predetermined image is read, converted into an electrical image signal by the conversion means, and stored in the storage means as image data. In this case, the image data is divided and stored by the writing means in a plurality of divided storage areas of the storage means, in association with each other.

At the time of search, by reading and displaying means.

Image data can be read out continuously from one of the plurality of storage areas of the storage means.

For example, the first page of image data consisting of a plurality of documents is read out continuously at high speed and displayed on the display means.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the embodiment of the invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, numeral 1 denotes an image reading device, which serves as an input section of a digital copying machine, and reads image information of a document placed on a document table using an image pickup device such as a C0D (charge-coupled device). Convert to electrical image signal. In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes an image data recording/reproducing device, and 1 is equipped with an image storage medium drive device (a magnetic medium or an optical medium is used as the medium), and an electric image signal obtained by the image reading device 1 is mounted. is stored as image data, and the stored image data is reproduced.

Furthermore, in the figure, 3 is a printer (image forming apparatus) that forms a copy image, 4 is an operation display section, and 5 is an image storage medium.

Figure 3 is an image reading device! ! FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

In the figure, 111 is a platen glass, and the document 1
12 is placed on this platen glass 111. Manuscript 1
12 is a carriage 1 that moves on a slide rail 113
It is illuminated by light sources (fluorescent lamps) 115 and 116 provided at 14. The movable mirror unit 118 is provided with mirrors 119 and 119'.
moves on the slide rail 113 and the carriage 11
In combination with the first mirror 117 provided at 4, the optical image of the document 112 on the platen glass 111 is introduced into the lens reading unit 120.

The carriage 114 and the movable mirror unit 118 are driven in the same direction by pulleys 112, 123, and 124 driven by a stepping motor 121 via a wire 126, with the carriage 114 at a speed V and the movable mirror unit 118 at a speed 1/2v. Ru.

A standard white plate 127 is provided on the back side of the home position portion of the platen glass 111, and is configured so that a standard white signal can be obtained before the start of document reading scanning.

The lens reading unit 120 is composed of a lens 128 as a reading lens system and a line sensor 129 attached to a reading board.

The optical image of the original transmitted by the first mirror 117 and the mirrors 119 and 119' is focused by the lens 128 and formed on the light receiving surface of the line sensor CCD 129. A line sensor CCD 129 converts the density of the original image into an electrical image signal.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electrical image signal processing circuit.

In the figure, an image signal from a line sensor CCD 129 is amplified by an amplifier circuit 130,
The A/D) converter 131 converts each pixel into a multi-valued digital image signal. This digital image signal is processed by the shading correction circuit 132 to detect (1) uneven light emission of the light source, (
2) Uneven light intensity distribution of the optical system (mirror lens), (3) C
To remove shading caused by OD sensitivity unevenness, etc. The binarization circuit 133 (1) converts black and white image signals such as characters and drawing manuscripts into a fixed binary level. That is, the value processed by the central processing unit (CPU) 134 is transferred to the latch circuit (random access memory R).
AM) 135 pattern level binarization method (threshold), (2) dither pattern (read-only memory ROM) for things that require gradations such as photographs.
) 136 to display the binarization method (dither processing) on the operation unit 4 (
The document selection switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is used to make a selection, and the selector 137 is used to switch to obtain an optimal copy image.

The image data that has been binarized for each pixel is equivalent to one line, which is A4 size (210X
If the resolution of the longitudinal feed (297 m) is 400 dpi (dots/inch), the output buffer 139 outputs the serial image signal VD through the line buffer 138 configured with a RAM of 297 x 16 = 4752 dots (bits). 1 and 2). The oscillation circuit 140 provides signals to a CCD drive circuit 141 for driving the CCD 129 and a synchronization signal generation circuit 142 for image (pixel) signals. The output of the oscillation circuit 140 is counted by a counter 143.

The count value is input to the decoder 144, and the CCD drive circuit 141 generates a pulse for driving the CCD 129 based on the decoded output.

Other outputs of the decoder 144 are generated by the synchronization generation circuit 142: (1) a clock vex synchronized with the pixel, (2) a main scanning synchronization signal (LGATE) in the line (main scanning) direction, and (3) a sub-scanning signal in the sub-scanning direction. Synchronization signal (FGATE)
is being generated. Pixel signal VD, clock VCK, main scanning synchronization signal LGATE, and sub-scanning synchronization signal FGATE
The timings have the relationships shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).

The CPU 134 (for example, Intel 8086) is R
Operates with the control program written in OM 145,
Working memory RAM 146, input/output (Ilo)
It is composed of ports 147, 148, and 149, and controls the entire scanner 1. The I10 port 147 controls on/off of actuators such as the drive pulse motor 121 and the fluorescent lamps 115 and 116 for illuminating the document, and also detects sensors such as the scanner's home position switch and document detection. Data recording/playback device! This is an interface for communicating with the control circuit in 2, and performs parallel data transfer using a handshake method.

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the timing of the operation of the scanner (image reading device 1).

FIG. 5(a) is a timing chart, and the LSYNC signal is output from the printer 2 and is a synchronization signal for laser beam scanning. VD is read data (image signal),
It is clocked by the image clock vcx. In FIG. 5(a), the lower VD, vcK is an enlarged version of the upper VD, V. Figure 5(b) shows the paper and the main scanning signal (
LGATE) and a sub-scanning signal (FGATE), in which the longitudinal direction of the paper is covered by the sub-scanning signal (FGATE) and the horizontal direction is covered by the main scanning signal (LGATE).

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the printer, and FIG.
The figure is a block explanatory diagram showing a configuration centered around a printer.

In FIG. 8, a photosensitive drum 301 rotates in the direction of the arrow, is charged by a charger 302, exposed to light by a laser 311, and visualized by a developer 303. The paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette 304 by the paper feed conveyance unit 305 is adjusted and conveyed by registration rollers 306 that align the leading edge of the paper with the leading edge of the image. This paper comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 301, and the image developed by the transfer separation charger 307 is transferred onto the paper, which is conveyed in the direction of the arrow, fixed by the fixing device 308, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 309. On the other hand, residual toner on the photoreceptor drum 301 is collected by a cleaning section 310. In FIG. 8, 312 is a collimator lens, 313 is a polygon mirror, 314 is an f-θ lens, and 315 is a mirror.

In the block diagram of FIG. 9, synchronizing signals LGATE, FGATE, Vc from the image data recording/reproducing device 2
The input buffer 323 receives the image signal VD synchronized with x [Fig. 5(a)], and the line memory 320A or
Writing to B, line memories 320A and 320B are CP
It is toggled by the toggle switching signal 321 of U324, and when the line memory 320A is currently in the writing state, the other line memory 320B is in the reading state. Line memory address counter 321 is LGATE
Counting with VOW opened in , toggle switching signal 331
It is reset at , and reading/writing is always performed from address zero. The read-out memory 320B controls the lighting of the laser 311 by a laser driver circuit 319, and the emitted light is collimated by a collimator lens 312.1. The polygon mirror 313 scans the width of the photoreceptor drum 301, distortion is corrected by the f-theta lens 314, and the photoreceptor 301 is exposed via the mirror 315.

In FIG. 9, 316 is a beam detection mirror (BD mirror);
317 is a beam position detector, 318 is a beam position detection circuit, 323 is an input buffer that receives the image signal VD from the floppy disk memory device, and 325 is a ROM that stores a control program for the printer and the LGATE counter 334.

326 is a RAM which is the working memory of the CPU 324
, 327 is an input/output (Ilo) port to which the printer's fighting motor M, fixing heater actuator HA, paper presence/absence, size detection sensor S, etc. are connected, and 328 is L
Input GATE330 and convert it to LGATE counter 3
Count by 34 and add FGATE335 to AND gate 333
At the same time, the address counter 3 of the line memory
I10 port for outputting reset signal 331 etc. of 21, 329 is floppy disk I10 port 225
This is an I10 port for transmitting and receiving control signals between the printer interface 149 and the printer interface 149.

Therefore, the CPU 324 is operated by the ROM 325 that stores the control program. The I10 is also used to notify the image data recording/reproducing device 2 of startup and stop commands from the operation unit 4 and abnormal conditions such as paper jams in the printer 3.
control via boat 329.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of the operation/display section 4. FIG.

In the figure, the operation/display section includes a standard operation 460 for a copying machine, a dot liquid crystal display 465, and soft keys 46.
A special operation section 461 with a 6 is provided. The standard operation section 460 is for when using the "copy from one sheet to paper" function, and includes a numeric keypad 462 for setting the number of copies, and a number display section 4.
63, a print start key 464, a copy condition setting key, a display section 470, and the like.

The special operation unit 461 is used in a copy mode for performing operations other than paper-to-paper copying, and is composed of soft keys (for data input) 466 and a liquid crystal display 465. These are I1 in the image data recording/reproducing device 2.
It is connected to the microcomputer system through the 0 port 230 (see FIG. 6), and the meanings of the soft keys and the data displayed on the liquid crystal display are all determined by a program within the microcomputer system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the image data recording/reproducing apparatus 2, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image data recording/reproducing apparatus 2.

In FIG. 6, 211 is an optical disk drive device that performs recording and reproduction on an optical disk as a storage medium. 212 is a floppy disk drive device which, like 211, performs recording and reproduction on a floppy disk.

213 is a control circuit, and 214 is shown within the broken line in FIG.
216 are cables for electrically interfacing with the scanner 1, printer 2, and operation display section 4, respectively.

In FIG. 7, 221 is a microcomputer;
It has the role of controlling the entire system through the bus 229, each I/F, I10 boat, etc.

223 is a ROM that stores a control program.

222 is a working memory for temporary use by the control program. 210 is a drive device for recording and reproducing image data on a medium; 220 is an I/F for that purpose;
31 is a timer that measures the year, month, day, hour, minute and second.

A page memory 228 has a capacity for one page, and is used to temporarily store image data when reading it from the scanner 1, and outputs the image data to the printer 2. Sometimes used to temporarily store image data from an image storage medium.

Further, a scanner I/F 224 and a printer I/F 225 are provided between the scanner 1 and the printer 2 in order to control the scanner 1 and the printer 2.

The S/P of 226 converts serial data into parallel data, and the P/S of 227 converts parallel data to serial data. these are.

Used to convert data between memory and scanner, memory and printer. The 230 I/F port is for controlling the operation display unit and communicating data.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be explained.

To copy a normal paper document onto paper, all you have to do is set the document on the scanner 1, select ``R paper-to-paper copy mode'' on the operation display section 4, and press the copy start button. .

"File the paper manuscript to the image storage medium" of the second function.
To execute this, first set a paper document on the scanner 1, then select the "file paper document" mode on the operation display section 4, and press the copy start button.

The operation can be performed as follows.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the display search method in the embodiment;
The figure is an explanatory diagram of recording directory information on a floppy disk in the embodiment.

Image data converted into electrical image signals by the scanner 1 is expanded into 228 page memories.

After the entire page has been read, first read the optical disc 2.
recorded in the first area of 0. If there are two or more originals, repeat the above operation, but the image data will be stored on the optical disc 2.
0 is recorded in the second area.

The last time all manuscripts have been recorded is the year, month, day,
Hours, minutes, seconds, number of pages, optical disk management information, etc. are recorded on the floppy disk 21 as directory information. In this case, whether or not it is the last document is input by the operator through the operation display section.

To execute the third function "r Output from image storage medium to paper", select the relevant mode, search for the desired file, and press the copy start button. Display information and select file 1
Alternatively, the user can display the first page of each document one after another on the display section and check the contents before making a selection. in this case,
Since the optical disc 20 accesses the first area sequentially, high-speed display is possible.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the image data converted into electrical image signals by the scanner 1 is
The image data of the page is written in the first area of the optical disc 20, and the image data of the second and subsequent pages are written in the first area of the optical disc 20.
The data is written to the second area of the optical disc 20.

When displaying and searching, the directory information is displayed on the operation display section 4 and a file is selected, or the first page of each manuscript is sequentially displayed on the operation display section 4 and the contents are checked before selection is made, resulting in a high-speed selection. Since it will be displayed for search,
A high-speed search is performed during copying, and copying can be performed efficiently and quickly.

Note that in this embodiment, image data was recorded on an optical disk and directory information was recorded on a floppy disk, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Image data may be recorded on a floppy disk and directory information may be recorded on an optical disk. You can also do it.

Further, in the embodiment, the entire first page of each document is recorded in the first area of the optical disc, but it is also possible to record only a part of the first page in the first area.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, image data is written in association with a plurality of divided storage areas of the storage means, and predetermined data of each manuscript is continuously and rapidly retrieved during a search. Since the images are read out and displayed, searches can be performed at high speed and image processing can be performed efficiently.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 12 are diagrams for explaining the present invention in detail,
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration, Figure 2 is a block diagram,
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an image reading device (scanner), FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electrical image signal processing circuit, FIG. 5(a) is a timing chart showing the operation of the scanner, and FIG. FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing the paper and the timing of the main scanning signal and the sub-scanning signal, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the image data recording and reproducing device, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image data recording and reproducing device. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the printer, FIG. 9 is an explanatory block diagram showing the configuration centered on the printer, FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of the operation/display section, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the printer. Explanatory diagram of display search method, 12th
The figure is an explanatory diagram of recording directory information on a floppy disk, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a display search method in a conventional image processing apparatus. l...Image reading device (scanner), 2...
... Image data recording and reproducing device, 3 ... Image forming device (printer), 4 ... Operation display unit, 5
... Image recording medium, 210 ... Image medium drive device, 211 ... Optical disk parking device,
212... Floppy disk drive, 22
1...Microcomputer (MPU),
222...RAM, 223...ROM
, 228... Page memory, 229...
・Bus, 231...Timer. Figure 1 Figure 5 (a) Figure 5 (b) Figure 1I Figure 12 I =I==A=Noizumi

Claims (1)

[Claims] a conversion means for reading a predetermined image and converting it into an electric image signal; a storage means for storing the electric image signal as image data; an image forming means for forming a copy image based on the electric image signal; In an image processing apparatus comprising display means for displaying image data stored in the means, a writing means divides a storage area of the storage means into a plurality of parts and stores the image data in a divided manner in each of the plurality of corresponding storage areas. and readout and display means for continuously reading out image data from one of the areas and displaying it on the display means during a search.