JPH042265A - Information output device for copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow only a person having a card with a specific code printed thereon to acquire information and to enhance the secrecy protection by not printing out copying machine information before a control means does not discriminate it that code information of a specific part of an original is coincident with a specific code allowing an information output. CONSTITUTION:When an output command of information in an information storage means is entered from a console 750, a control means 700 is activated to fetch at least part of data among picture data read by a picture read means, recognizes picture information included in the picture data and discriminates it that specific picture information is included. Then the information in the information storage means is displayed on a recording medium as a visual image such as a character, a numeral, a graph or a drawing. Thus, an output of confidential information as a hard copy is permitted only for a person having a specific information output card.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an information output device for a copying machine, and in particular, for checking copying machine information such as the total number of copies, failure tally, adjustment value, billing information, etc. using a pin code. The present invention relates to an information output device for a copying machine that prints out images.

[Conventional technology]

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-18239 discloses a control device for a copying machine that outputs the total number of copies made by the device to a separately provided printer by inputting a password into the device. JP-A-59-142559, JP-A-64-7
056 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 64-7057 disclose a system that is equipped with a magnetic card or IC card reader and reads a specific card to print specific secret information.

Also, JP-A No. 64-92763 and JP-A No. 64-9
Publication No. 2764 discloses an information output device that erases unnecessary image areas on a chart as a latent image on a drum and outputs necessary specific information (number of service calls, number of jams, etc.) to a copy sheet every time. has been done.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-7056 discloses an image forming apparatus that separates the original image copy cycle and the specific information character recording cycle, and can simultaneously print an original image and record specific information characters on the same sheet of paper. Disclosed.

Other JP-A-1-297665, JP-A-59-1
Related techniques are disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 88662 and the like.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the method disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-18239, in which a PIN code is entered using 10 keys, if the PIN code is simple, it is easy to decode, and if it is complicated, it becomes difficult for the operator to remember. There is a drawback that the
The problem can be solved by using a magnetic card or an IC card, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7056 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-7057. However, in this case, a dedicated league must be provided and the configuration of the device becomes complicated.

It is desired to be able to obtain not only a screen display but also a hard copy without the need for a dedicated printer, and the techniques described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-92763 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-92764 have been proposed. However, these methods have the disadvantage that there is no guarantee that information corresponding to the information items printed on the document will be output since no control is involved in the document.

This drawback can be solved by adding a multiple transfer means as in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-7056, which separates the original image copying cycle and character recording cycle and prints the original image and records specific information on the same sheet of paper. This can be solved by doing both at the same time.

However, this method requires multiplexing means, and since characters cannot be formed on the original image (they become invisible), the original image must be displayed in a reduced size beforehand.

Regarding the form of the recorded image, all of the above-mentioned known techniques have the disadvantage that images can only be formed in fixed forms or that the degree of freedom is not high.

Therefore, the first object of the present invention is to enable hard copy output of confidential information such as the total number of copies in a copier, departmental billing management data, and failure total data only to a person who has a specific information output card. The object of the present invention is to provide a device that outputs information on recording paper by placing the card on a platen and operating a copying machine without adding a special card reader or the like.

Furthermore, a second object of the present invention is to improve operability by displaying an error message on the console when the card is invalid, and displaying information corresponding to the card when the card is valid. An object of the present invention is to provide an information display/output device that is convenient when you are suffering from leprosy or when you don't want to leave it behind.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned first objective, the first means includes an image reading means for decomposing and reading the original image into pixels, and an image reading means based on the image data read by the image reading means. In a copying machine, the copying machine has an image forming means for forming a visible image on a recording medium, a console for inputting commands to the apparatus and displaying messages from the apparatus, and an information storage means for storing a plurality of types of information about the copying machine, When a command to output the information in the information storage means is input from the console, the image reading means reads at least part of the image data, recognizes the image information included in the image data, and selects a specific image. The recording medium is configured to include a control means that executes control to form the information in the information storage means as a visible image on the recording medium when it is determined that information is included.

In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned second object, the second means includes an image reading means for reading the original image by decomposing it into pixels, and a visible image on a recording medium based on the image data read by the image reading means. A copying machine having an image forming means for forming an image, a console for inputting commands to the apparatus and displaying messages from the apparatus, and an information storage means for storing a plurality of types of information about the copying machine. When a command to output internal information is input, the image reading means reads at least part of the image data read, recognizes the image information included in the image data, and determines that specific image information is included. control means for executing control for displaying the information in the information storage means on the console when it is determined that specific image information is not included; and displaying an error message on the console when it is determined that the specific image information is not included. The structure is as follows.

[Effect]

In the first means, when an output command for information stored in the information storage means is inputted from the console, the control means is operated to take in data of at least a part of the image data read by the image reading means, and the control means takes in data of at least a part of the image data read by the image reading means, When it recognizes the image information contained in the image and determines that it contains specific image information, it converts the information in the information storage means into, for example, characters, numbers, graphs, etc.
It is formed and displayed on a recording medium as a visible image such as a figure.

In the second means, when an output command for the information stored in the information storage means is input from the console, the control means is actuated to take in data of at least a part of the image data read by the image reading means, and the control means takes in data of at least a part of the image data read by the image reading means. If it is determined that specific image information is included, the information in the information storage means is displayed on the console, and if it is determined that specific image information is not included, an error message is displayed. will be displayed on the console.

〔Example〕

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

1 and 2 are an explanatory diagram and a block diagram, respectively, showing the configuration of a digital color copying machine to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In these figures, 100 is a scanner, 200 is an image processor (IP), and 400 is a memory unit (MU).
, 600 is a printer unit (PU), 700 is a system control (SCON), 750 is a console unit (CU), 900 is a digitizer unit (DG)
, 950 is a sorter unit (ST), 980 is an ADF unit (AD), and 990 is an external device connection terminal.

First, the general functions of each unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

A system controller (SCON) 700 controls the entire copying machine system, and is a stored program type 32-bit microcomputer system.

In addition to the CPU and program memory 9 and work memory, there is also a scanner 100. Image processor 200. Printer unit 600. It has an interface means for communicating with an external unit such as the console unit 750, an interrupt controller for performing hardware interrupt processing, and the like. This unit monitors the status of other units, determines the operating specifications of each unit according to the various copy modes input from the console unit 750, and sets operating parameters before the copy process starts. The work memory has the role of transmitting to each unit and supplying processing start signals and various real-time signals necessary during processing to other units.The work memory also stores important information such as billing management information, so it is always Power is backed up by a battery.

A scanner (SC) 100 separates the original into RGB colors, and
Sampled at a sampling density of 00 dpi, and set the quantization level to 8.
The digital image signal is quantized into bits and supplied to an IP or external device connection terminal 990. In addition, R is Red
, G stands for Green, and B stands for Blue.

An image processor (IP) 200 performs image processing such as color correction and dither processing on the RGB original image signal supplied from the scanner 10 (l or external device connection terminal 990) and finally converts it into CMYK, which is a print signal. It has an image detection function that detects the size of a document and the color of a specific part and provides this information to the system controller 700, and an image generation function that generates various patterns and number patterns.

The image processor (IP) 200 is capable of operating these three functions at the same time; for example, it sends an image in which a number button is synthesized into an image from the scanner 100 to the next stage memory unit 400, and finally sends it to the printer. A composite image can be obtained in unit 600. In addition, said C is Cyan.

M is Magenta, Y is Yellow, K is B
It is an abbreviation of 1ack.

A memory unit (MU) 400 stores CMY@image data in a first operation mode in which CMYK four-color image data is supplied to the printer unit 600 with C, M, and Y data delayed by a predetermined time. The second mode is C, M for the image data stored in the second mode.

This is an image memory means that can selectively activate one of the third operation modes in which Y data is read out and supplied to the printer unit 600 after being delayed by a predetermined time. By operating the second mode multiple times, it is possible to insert characters generated by the image processor 200 into the copied image by combining the images or partially rewriting the images.

A magnetic disk unit (DD) 500 is a large-capacity magnetic disk drive that can store application programs for the system controller 700 and image data for multiple pages. The drive consists of two sets, a and b.
A is a floppy disk drive, and b is a hard disk drive.

The printer unit (PU) 600 is a laser printer having recording stations for CMYKd colors, and forms a full-color print image on transfer paper based on data supplied from the image processor 200 and CMY data supplied from the memory unit 400.

The console (CU) 750 includes a 512 x 512 dot matrix liquid crystal display means and a CU mounted on the display means.
It is composed of 28×128 matrix-shaped transparent touch switch means. The display means can display arbitrary figures and two characters, allowing the operator to obtain output information from the copying machine, and by touching a switch on a predetermined icon display, the operator can set the desired operating specifications to the copying machine. can give.

The digitizer (DC) 900 is a means for obtaining pen input coordinate position information at 0.2 mm intervals, and allows the operator to specify a specific part of the document or input the insertion position when inserting a character string into a copied image. be prepared for.

A sorter (ST) 950 is a means for sorting copy paper.

ADF (AD) 980 is means for automatically feeding a document onto the SC platen.

The external device connection terminal (IF) 990 is a multi-bin connection terminal for supplying image data to an external device such as a general-purpose computer, receiving image data from the external device, and exchanging various information.

Configuration of scanner 1001, memory unit 40o5, printer unit 600, and console 750.

The functions and operations are omitted as they are based on the conventional technology disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-25673. The IF disk unit 500 and the system controller 700 are also units constructed using conventionally well-known technology, and a detailed description of the units will be omitted.A more detailed description of the units related to the present invention will be given below.

(Description of Image Processor 200) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processor of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a partial block diagram common to the main parts of FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, 102 is an input RGB image image line from the scanner 100 or the external device connection terminal 990. 201 is a CMYK output signal line to the next memory unit 400. A plurality of processing circuits, which will be described later, are provided in series between the signal line 102 and the signal line 201, and the image data is subjected to vibration line processing. Each of these circuits has the ability to execute multiple types of processing in parallel. In addition, since area specification processing, which will be described later, is possible, for example, special image processing effects can be obtained partially by applying different processing to only areas of a certain shape, and if the area shape is like a letter, It is also possible to form an image on a copy that has a visual effect similar to that of characters even if such characters do not exist in the original.

A movement/magnification circuit 205 performs image movement and enlargement/reduction processing.

206 is an image editing circuit that performs image mirroring, tilting,
Each am collection will be made into mosaics.

A spatial filter circuit 207 performs operations such as smoothing, quadratic differentiation, and averaging on the RGB original image signal. Since arbitrary values are loaded as filter coefficients from the system controller 70Q, smoothing, averaging, sharpening, and density conversion of the image can be achieved.

Reference numeral 208 denotes an RGB gamma correction/correction circuit that performs gradation correction and negative/positive inversion processing according to the original image signal.This circuit is of a table lookup type, and all table data can be arbitrarily rewritten by the system controller 700. Therefore, density conversion, contrast conversion, tone omission such as bossarization, partial inversion of tone called solarization, blanking by setting all table values to 0, and setting all table values to constant values other than 0. You can perform operations such as painting.

A color correction circuit 209 converts the RGB signals into CMYK signals. The parameters of the conversion calculation are the system controller 7
Since it has a structure that can be arbitrarily set by 00, color conversion, monochrome processing, blanking, brightness conversion, and color painting can be performed.

Reference numeral 210 is a CMYK gamma correction circuit which corrects gamma to suit the density gradation characteristics of PR.It is functionally similar to 208.

A CMYK spatial filter circuit 211 performs filtering processing for each CMYK color and is functionally similar to 207.

A dither processing circuit 212 performs dither processing.

The dither button can be set arbitrarily, and various halftone dot densities,
Halftone processing of halftone dot shape and screen angle can be performed.

Each of the circuits described above has the ability to process multiple contents in parallel, and only the signal resulting from one of the multiple processes is sent to the next stage processing circuit. Furthermore, the processing contents of each of the multiple processes are variable, and the processing parameters are downloaded from the system controller 700 to the processing circuit 205 and further to the dither processing circuit 212 through the path line 202 connected to the system controller 700. For example, the image editing circuit 206 is Four types of shading processing in different colors, two types of mosaic processing, one type of mirroring processing, and no processing can be performed in parallel, but the pitch dimension of the mosaic, the width and color of the shadow can be set as operating parameters. The information is downloaded from the system controller 700 to the editing circuit 206 prior to scanning the original, and only one of the eight types of processing results is sent to the spatial filter circuit 207 when scanning the original.

This mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 1nda in the same figure
ta is image data sent to the circuit from the preceding circuit. Therefore, the circuit before the color correction circuit 209 processes RGB data, and the circuit after the color correction circuit 210 processes CMYK data.

pO to pm are m+1 parallel processing circuits, to which the same image data is input. The outputs of these parallel processing circuits are represented by pouto to poutm. For each parallel process, there are two cases: a case in which the processing parameters are predetermined, and a case in which they are variable. In the case of variable processing, operating parameters are loaded into internal registers through an internal bus directly connected to the system controller 700 before starting the image processing operation.

Generally, there are multiple internal registers, so b is necessary for selecting these registers.
A part of the address signal in the us signal is sent to the address decoder d.
This is achieved by decoding with ec and connecting each of the decoded signal lines to each of the internal registers.

The result of the parallel processing is input from INO to INm of multiplexer upx. mupx selectively outputs only one set of input data to OUT. Which input data to select exists in the input code of the SEL terminal; if it is 0, INO, if it is 1, INI, etc.
If it is m, output INm to the OUT terminal.

adec is a lookup table. Physically R
Using AM, the input signal is connected to the address line of the RAM, and the read output data of the RAM is used as Dout. That is, from a O(a+sb) to C(lsb
) for the 8-bit input value Dout
Output from the terminal to the SEL terminal of -upx.

The output value ranges from O to m. The contents of the lookup table can be arbitrarily rewritten by the system controller 700 through an internal bus bus directly connected to the bus 202.

Four bits aO to a3 are processing selection signals from the image area designation circuit 224. C, CC, H.

P is a recognition signal from the automatic image area recognition circuit 223. C is 1 when it is recognized as a black character part, and 0 otherwise.
sends the value of Similarly, CC is when a color character other than black is recognized, P is when a continuous tone image is recognized such as a silver halide photograph, and H is when a halftone image is recognized as in a printing or copying machine. The value is 1 for each, and the value is O for the other values. Therefore, by setting the contents of the lookup table adec to appropriate values, the processing results from pO to pm can be selectively sent to the next image processing circuit depending on the type of original image and the specified area.

Since the input is 8 bits, there are 256 combinations. Further, when the number m+l of parallel processing circuits is less than 256, the table data is set to a value smaller than m.

In such a case, the output may be the same for a particular input, and the same data may be set even if m+1=256.

For example, the input binary value of adec is 1000XXXX (
If the table data for
O force is selected. XXXX0 OO1 data 5
If it is set, the processing selection signal will be 1 regardless of the type of original image.
In this case, the p5 processing result is selected.

Selection of parallel processing results is possible on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

In other words, it is possible to perform any processing on any part of a single document.

Figure 5 shows the automatic image area I! in Figure 3! 6 is a block diagram of the image area designation circuit in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the area register in FIG. 6, and FIG.
14 through 14 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the embodiment.

The automatic image area recognition circuit 223 shown in FIG.
For each pixel of the signal, it is recognized which one of the four types of original picture, black text, color text, photograph, and halftone image it belongs to, and outputted to the output l&lI 223 m. Since the m-knowledge algorithm is not within the scope of the present invention, it will not be discussed in detail, but it includes the differential value of image density, the degree of continuity of the uniform density part, the periodicity of the density distribution, the continuity of the lowest density part, spatial frequency characteristics, The connection state of pixels of the same density is analyzed for each RGB color and a comprehensive judgment is made.

The zero image area designation circuit 224 shown in FIG. 6 outputs a 32-bit processing selection signal shown at 224a from the processing circuit 205 to the dither processing circuit 212. However, one bit of this (
The least significant bit (bO) is also supplied to the memory unit 400 as a memory override signal. This circuit has the function of emitting an output signal to selectively switch image processing for a desired portion of the original image. is possible on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

Image area designation circuit 224 is used for two purposes. 1
The first case is when the operator uses the digitizer unit 900 to apply special image processing to a desired area, which is conventionally well known as area designation processing for copying machines. The other is that the system controller 700 automatically generates area data based on the memory data inside the system controller, the detection output value of the detection circuit, and the character code information input by the operator without the operator specifying the area.
This is a case where the area data is downloaded to the image area designation circuit 224 and special image processing such as painting the area shape or blanking is performed on the copy paper to form a bang image that looks like characters, figures, or graphs.

Therefore, if the shape of the area is made into an alphabet string, a numeric string, or a pictogram, meaningful information to the operator can be provided to the operator in the form of a hard copy from the copying machine. The image area designation circuit 224 will be described in detail later.

221 is a document size detection circuit, and 222 is a document color detection circuit. The detection results obtained by scanning the original are stored in internal registers (status registers) attached to each circuit.
The system controller 700 is stored on the bus 202.
These registers can be referenced at any time through.

230 is a data compression circuit that compresses RGB image data;
The result is sent to the magnetic disk unit 500 through the output line 501a. 231 is a compressed data decompression circuit that restores the compressed image data sent from the magnetic disk unit 500 to the original RGB image data;
Send to 5.

Each of the processing circuits mentioned above has a group of registers (command registers for convenience) that determine the operation of each circuit on the circuit side.
A group of registers (referred to as status registers for convenience) for storing information on the operation results of each circuit are provided.

The configuration of bus 202 is similar to that of a typical 32-bit microprocessor. That is, the data bus width and the address bus width are each 32 bits, and there are basically 66 signal lines in total including read signals and write signals which are control signals. Address bus signals are decoded and used to select processing circuits and internal registers. The upper 23 bits of the address bus are decoded by a decoder (not shown) in the image processor 200, and processed by processing circuits 205-212.
221-224, 230.231.

The lower 9 bits of the address bus are decoded by respective decoders inside each of the circuits, and are used to select one register from the command register group and status register group within each circuit. That is, each circuit can have a maximum of 512 registers. This is no different from the standard method of chip selection of peripheral elements and in-chip register selection, and it goes without saying that a circuit selection decoder may be provided on the system controller side.

Therefore, through bus 202, system controller 70
0 can selectively freely access one of the registers inside the processing circuit.

In other words, from the perspective of the system controller 700, each processing circuit and internal register can be regarded as the same as a memory connected to the CPU bus. Therefore, system controller 7
00 can perform extremely high-speed processing such as downloading operating parameters to each circuit command register and obtaining processing result success/failure (error information), size, and color detection results from the status register.

(Description of Image Area Designation Circuit 224) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the image area designation circuit 224.
This circuit is provided with an internal pass line 224-21,
The zero circuit directly connected to the pass line 202 of the image processor 200 has a plurality of internal registers, and an address decoder is provided to select these registers.
It is omitted from the figure.

224-33 is a group of area registers a, b, c.

It consists of four registers, d. One of these is shown in Figure 7, 4
All area registers have the same structure.

The data in each register is loaded by the system controller 700. The word length of each register is 32 bits, and is used to store area processing selection data when one copy image is divided into multiple areas and different image processing is applied to each area. It has the role of holding. To be more precise, as mentioned earlier, the zero register is the selection data when one of the parallel processing results in each circuit in the dither processing circuit 212 is selectively sent from the moving magnification circuit 205 to the next stage circuit. is functionally divided into 4-bit units, and a selection number for selecting the processing of each image processing circuit from the moving magnification circuit 205 to the spatial filter circuit 211 is stored in each division unit.

For example, bits 12 to 15 are connected to color processing circuit 209. Note that bit 0 is special, and this signal is connected to the dither processing circuit 212 and is also output to the memory unit 400 at the same time.

When the memory unit 400 is in the second operation mode (storage mode), if this signal is 0, it will not be overridden, and if it is 1, it will be overridden. In other words, a process of partially rewriting the image data in the memory is performed.

There are four area registers, one of which is selected for each pixel, and the register data is output to the image processing circuit, thereby making it possible to perform image processing for each area.

224-34 is a 32-bit input, 2-bit output multiplexer, and these 2 bits are used as a selection signal for one of the four area registers.

Ml at 224-23 and M2 at 224-24 are toggle memories having a function of storing the area register selection data for all pixels of one scanning line. Each memory is 297 words x 32
It has a bit structure, and one word holds register selection information for 16 pixels. In other words, the total memory amount is 400 dpi (approximately 1
One scan when each pixel has 2 bits of information at a pixel density of 6 dots/mm)! This corresponds to a memory size of 297mm (297x16x2).

M1 and M2 operate in a toggle manner, and when one is performing a write operation, the other is performing a read operation.

This switching is done in units of one scanning line.

224-25 is a write/read controller which writes 297 words of write data from the bus 224-21 to Ml or M2 from the A boat in synchronization with the bus cycle, and reads data from the memory that is not being written. It has the function of outputting to B.

224-22 is a flip-flop which repeats inversion with a line synchronization pulse LSYNC output once for each scanning line.

This output is the read/write controller 224-25
It is used as a toggle signal for switching between X and Y write/read.

VCLK is a video synchronization signal that is output one for each pixel.

224-31 is a settable counter with a cycle of 1/16 minutes, and 224-30 is a settable counter. These two generate a memory address to be given to the B boat of the controller every 16 pixels. In other words, counters 224-30 are cleared by the LSYNC pulse issued prior to scanning one scan line, and VCLK is 16
The count is incremented each time it is manually applied, and the count ranges from 0 to 296. That is, memory read access is performed from 0 to the 296th word, and the memory data is transferred to the data line B of the B boat.
data to multiplexer 224-34.

224-32 is a hexadecimal counter which is first incremented from count 0 every pulse of vCLK, and when it counts up to 15, returns to 0 with the next pulse. This count output value is the selection information SE for selecting two consecutive bits in one word of memory output 32-bit data.
Used as L signal. Simply put, 32 bits is 2
Each bit is divided into 16 sections, and the divided 2 bits are sequentially sent to the register group 224-1 in synchronization with the pixel clock VCLK.
33.

On the other hand, on the area register group 224-33 side, when the supplied signal is O, it is a, when it is 1, it is b, and when it is 2, it is C1.
3, selects d, and transmits the data in the selected register from the image processing circuit 205 to 212 as 224a.

Fig. 1θ is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the image area specifying circuit, and the operation will be explained with reference to it. Reference numeral 982 in Fig. 0 is copy paper, 11.12°...
・1m...11 is a scanning line. The number of scanning lines is actually 6720 in A3 size, but in order to make the explanation easier to understand, the number is shown as a smaller number in the figure. The "4" shaped part on the paper is one designated area, and the area other than this area (excluding the 40 character shape) is another designated area. The former is named area 1, and the latter is named area 0. Scanning line 11.12 area 1, pixels from X2 to X3 belong to area 0, pixels from X3 to X4 belong to area 1, and pixels from X4 to Xn belong to area 0. After this, in the sub-scanning section for a while, the same area switching continues in the main scanning, and when the 14th scan line is reached, pixels from XO to Xl are area 0, pixels from Xl to X2 are area 1, and pixels from XO to Xl are area 0. That's what I come to say. Here, a number such as area 0.1 will be referred to as an area number.

Next, it will be described how the area selection signal 224a is generated for each area number and the image processing operation is performed on the area selection signal side.

These area number string data are given to the area designation circuit 224 from the system controller 700 for each scanning line in the format of 32 bits x 297 word data. As previously described in the section on the area designation circuit, the given data string is developed into a serial area number according to the scanning pixel position in the next timing scan line, and is stored in the area register group 224-3.
given to 3. The area register 224-33, a corresponding to the area number is controlled by the internal control means of the register group.
, b, c, and d, and continues outputting the data in the register as the processing selection signal 224a. In other words, when data provided by the system controller 700 is divided into 2-bit units and made to correspond to scanning pixel positions, data in the area register corresponding to the divided 2-bit data is output in accordance with the scanning position.

The data in the area register group is loaded in advance from the system controller 700 before the copy operation is started, and by making the data held in the register group different from each other, different processing selection signals can be obtained for each area number. Furthermore, if the four register data are the same, the same processing selection signal will be obtained as a result.

The image processing circuit 205 to the dither processing circuit 212 output one of the plurality of parallel image processing results in each circuit to the next stage in response to the processing selection signal 224a, and image processing for each designated area is performed. It turns out. Ultimately, different images will be obtained in areas O and 1 on copy 982.

To explain the details again, before the copy operation, four areas are transferred from the first system controller 700 to the area registers 224-33a to 224-33d through the bus 202, and in this example there are two types, so at least a.

When a copy operation is started in which data corresponding to the image processing content is written into the two registers, the system controller 700 continues to send 297 words of 32-bit data to the image area specifying circuit 224 for each scanning line. The sent data is alternately written to the memory M1 or memory M2 through the bus 202, and one word is read out for every 16 pixels from the memory opposite to the memory to which it is written, and the read l word 32-bit data is stored in the lower order. The bits are divided into 2-bit units, and the units are supplied to the area register 224-33 in synchronization with the pixel clock.

These two bits constitute the area register 224-33.
For example, in scanning W13, the values of this 2-bit data string are all 0 between XO and Xl.
Everything between Xl and X2 is l, everything between X2 and X3 is 0
, all between X3 and X4 may be set to 1, and between X4 and Xn may be set to O.

Note that the system controller 700 is the image area specifying circuit 2.
The data unit sent to the 24 is 32-bit data in which 16 sets of these 2-bit data are arranged.

Furthermore, since the written data in the memories M1 and M2 is held until rewritten, it may be possible to omit writing 297 words of data for each scanning line when the same scanning line of area number data continues. In other words, for a simple area like a rectangle, the system controller 700 only needs to send data a few times out of 6720 scanning lines, and to obtain an area consisting of a smooth curve like a circle, It is necessary to send new area data almost every scan line.

However, I would like to emphasize that the same simple circuit configuration can process curved areas such as circles with pixel-level smoothness.

(Description of Color Correction Circuit 209) FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the color correction circuit in FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the arithmetic circuit in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 8, reference numerals 209-10a to 209-10d represent four sets of color correction calculation circuits, each having a function of performing color correction calculation on 8-bit RGB inputs and outputting 8-bit CMYK values.

Reference numeral 209-11 is a multiplexer circuit for selectively sending output data from four sets of arithmetic circuits to the next stage circuit;
SBI is its selection signal input line.

Reference numeral 209-11 is a processing selection signal line connected to the four lines b15-b12 related to color correction processing selection among the plurality of output lines 224a of the image area specifying circuit 224 described above.

Reference numerals 209-20 are internal buses having the same functions as the bus of the image processor 200, and reference numeral 20921 is an address decoder having an internal register selection function.

All four sets of arithmetic circuits 209-10a to 209-10d have the same configuration, which is shown in FIG. This arithmetic circuit consists of a coefficient register section and a product-sum arithmetic section. coefficient register is anxy
The subscript n represents one of the four types of parallel multiple processing a, b, c, and d, and X and y are the row number and column number of the color correction matrix calculation.

The color correction calculation circuit executes the following product-sum calculation formula.

This equation is generally well known as a masking equation, and by appropriately setting coefficient values, it is possible to cancel out the illegal components contained in the CMYK toner and obtain a beautiful full-color image.

It is also easy to see from the formula that it is possible to convert a full-color original to monochrome, perform color conversion, and paint to fill in a specific color regardless of the original.

For example, if the coefficients of anx 1 to anx 4 are made the same, the CMYK output will depend uniformly on RGB, and a monochrome output will be obtained. Here, by appropriately selecting the value of an4V from anly, the blending ratio of CMYK can be changed arbitrarily. For example, if anly is set to a certain value and an2y to an4y are all set to 0, a monochrome copy of only C can be obtained.

Also, as an example, anl 4. an24. an34.
If an44 is set to a value other than 0 and all other coefficients are set to 0, the original @RGB data 12 will not depend on it at all, and constant CMYK data will always be calculated and output. ! It will be painted. The color of the paint depends on the ratio of the four anx 1s; for example, if anl4 and an24 are 1 and the others are 0, C and M are in equal amounts, so they are painted blue.

There are 16 counting registers attached to one set of arithmetic circuits, 64 in total in 4 sets, but these data are stored in the system controller 70.
It can be arbitrarily rewritten with 0.

As an example, a case will be described in which the portion shaped like the letter "4" in FIG. 10 is painted, and the remaining portions are subjected to normal full color processing. First, before the copy operation, the system controller 700 sets full color processing coefficients in 16 coefficient registers 209-10a and paint coefficients in 16 registers 209-10b. The 4 bits b15-b12 related to color processing selection of the area register 224-33a are set to 1 in the area register 224-33b. After the copying operation is started, 297 words of area switching data corresponding to the shape of the letter "4" continue to be sent for each scanning line as described in the previous section. In this way, the area specifying circuit 224 sends the color correction circuit 209 to the xO of 0.0 in FIG. 1 for xi, 0 for x2, x
Signals are sent such as 1 for 3 and O for X4, the inside of the figure 4 is painted, and the rest is subjected to normal full color processing.

(Description of color detection circuit 222) FIG. 26 is a block diagram of the color detection circuit in FIG. 3.

In the figure, reference numeral 222-10 is an internal bus 222-21a directly connected to the bus 202.

b, c, and d are position registers 222-20a and 222-20b that hold sub-scanning position data for color detection.

C and d are color registers that store detected color information. This circuit transfers the RGB data of four scanning lines at the sub-scanning position specified by the position register 222-21 to the color register 222-21.
22-20, and the stored data can be read out at any time by the system controller 700. Furthermore, any value can be set in the position register 222-21 by the system controller 700.

The ROB signal sent from scanner 100 is connected to color registers 222-20. Each position register 2
22-21 has a built-in counter that counts LSYNC and a comparator that compares and matches the output value of the counter with the position data set in the register, and when the two match, the color register of the corresponding suffix is A trigger signal is issued to start data acquisition. The triggered color register stores RGB data for 4752 pixels of one scan line. system controller 70
Since 0 can be arbitrarily read from any register, original RGB data of four scanning lines can be obtained.

(Explanation regarding area specification, automatic image area recognition, and selection of multiple image processing) Regarding the image processing circuit 205 to the dither processing circuit 212, each processing circuit executes multiple types of processing in parallel,
It was mentioned earlier that only one of the results is sent to the next processing circuit. It has also been mentioned that which one is selected depends on the 8-bit signal input to the adec shown in FIG.

I would like to explain the relationship between this 8-bit signal and selection in detail again. The key point is that conventionally, the operator could specify the image processing content uniformly for all pixels in the middle of the specified area, or the image processing content could be automatically switched based on the automatic image area recognition results. there were. In contrast, the feature of this method is that the content of image processing can be determined based on the combination of both signals.

1) When an operator performs specific processing on the entire surface of an original image For example, in the past, when color conversion processing was performed on the entire surface, all halftone gradation images and characters within the area were color-converted. On the other hand, in this method, color conversion processing is similarly applied to the gradation image portion, but it is also possible to create a copy of the text that preserves the original color even within a specified area. Specifically, it may be done as follows.

First, before starting copying, set coefficient register group 2 in FIG.
The system controller 700 sets values for normal full color processing in 09-10a and values for color conversion processing in coefficient register group 209-10b. Furthermore, the data of lookup table 209-30 is input 1000XXX
0 for X, 0 for 0100XXXX,
Set 1 corresponding to OOXXXXXX.

Next, after the copy operation is started, the color correction processing circuit 20
Automatic image area recognition circuit 2 is used for the C, CC, H, and P signals of 9.
From 23, C, CC, H depending on the type of original picture recognized.
, P is 1 and the remaining 3 bits are 0. At this time, the coefficient register group 20
9-10a and 201-10b are in the process of performing normal processing and color conversion processing in parallel, and the result of either processing is an 8-bit signal input to the lookup table 209-30. is dynamically switched according to the
It is sent to the CMY gamma correction circuit 210 at the next stage. The data to be sent has a value of 1 in the lookup table 209-30.
It is 00XXXXXX, that is, a part that is neither black nor color text. In this way, a copy in which only the picture portion is color-converted is obtained.

2) When an operator performs specific processing on a specified area of the original image For example, in the past, if an operator specified an area using a tablet and performed color conversion processing within the specified area, all halftone images and characters within the area would be processed. The color was converted. On the other hand, in this method, color conversion processing is similarly applied to the gradation image portion, but it is also possible to make copies of characters that maintain their original colors even within the designated area. Specifically, it may be done as follows.

First, before starting copying, set coefficient register group 2 in FIG.
The system controller 700 sets values for normal full color processing in 09-10a and values for color conversion processing in coefficient register group 209-10b. Furthermore, the data of lookup tables 209-30 is input 1000XXX
O corresponds to X, O corresponds to 0100 XXXXX, 0 corresponds to 0OXXOOOO, 0OXXOOOI
Set 1 corresponding to . In addition, the values of 4 bits b15-b12 output to the color correction circuit of the area register 224-33a in FIG.
Set b to 1.

Next, after the copy operation is started, the system controller 700 continues to send area switching data to the area specifying circuit 224, which is 0 for areas where color conversion is not to be performed and 1 for areas where color conversion is to be performed, for each scanning line. Then, color correction processing circuit 2
Naturally, data of 0 is sent to the area designation signal a3:ao of 09 for areas without color conversion, and data of 1 is sent for areas subject to color conversion. In addition, independently from this, the automatic image area recognition circuit 223 sends data in which one bit of C, CC, or HP is 1 and the remaining 3 bits are 0, corresponding to the type of the recognized original image. . At this time, coefficient register group 209-10
a and 209-10b are performing normal processing and color conversion processing in parallel, and the result of either processing is 209-10b.
It is dynamically switched according to the 8-bit signal input to the CMYK gamma correction circuit 21 in the next stage.
Sent to 0. The data to be sent has a value of 1 in the lookup table when it is 0OXXOOOI, that is, it is within the specified area and is inside both black and color characters. In this way, a copy in which only the picture portion within the designated area is color-converted is obtained.

These are just a few examples; various processing can be done, such as converting only black text to a specified monochrome color, or converting the same color to white. The same applies to circuits other than the color correction circuit 209; the moving magnification circuit 205 performs different magnifications for text and picture areas, and the image editing circuit 206 performs slanting processing only on characters, while mosaic processing is applied to picture parts. Alms, RG
In the B gamma correction circuit/208, a Laplacian filter is applied to the text area, and a smoothing filter is applied to the halftone image area.

It is clear that the color correction circuit 209 can perform inversion processing on only color characters, high contrast processing on black characters, solarization processing on photographic areas, and softening processing on halftone image areas.

(Description of console 750) The console panel 750 includes a start button 7 (not shown).
50-1. It is composed of pushbuttons such as 10 key buttons and a clear button, a dot matrix display 750-10, and a transparent touch switch 750-11 placed above it. FIG. 27 shows the display state of the copying machine in a specific mode.

Reference numeral 750-10 is a dot matrix display, reference numeral 75
0-11 is a transparent matrix type touch switch arranged above. The seven character strings and button-like pattern in the figure are the buttons displayed at 750-10. The button pattern indicates that touch input is possible for the operator. If you touch it and the copying machine accepts input scanning, the color changes like the log button at the top left. The panel display system is hierarchical, and if you touch the bak button, a screen in the next higher hierarchy will appear.In the same hierarchy, parts of the screen that cannot be displayed due to screen size constraints can be obtained by touching the more button. If you touch any button other than these two buttons, the lower hierarchical screen will appear if there is a lower hierarchical screen. There is a hierarchy below (,
If the button is the final instruction button, the color changes like a log button and the copying machine starts the predetermined operation.

This screen is mainly used by people involved in the maintenance of the apparatus, and is called the service mode screen, and the operating state of the copying machine related to this screen is called the service mode. Here l
The og button is a command button for printing out the total number of copies and the number of failures on copy paper, and the test button is for printing the original color detection circuit 222 and the original size detection circuit 22.
Command button adj for printing out the detection results of step 1.

The buttons are located at various adjustment points inside the device, such as the charger 19b.
The 5ample button is a command button for printing out the adjustment value of the output voltage of k+c+m+y, etc., and the 5ample button prints setting values that can be specified by the operator, such as copy density and color tone, regardless of these setting screens (density setting screen and color tone setting screen). , a command button to create an automatically changed copy on a single sheet of copy paper, a data button to print out image processing parameters overlappingly during normal copying, a C-data button to normally This button is used to insert title characters etc. during copying.

(Explanation of various operations in service mode) Figures 15 to 22 are explanatory diagrams of printing out specific data in aggregated data, and Figure 23 is data showing various types of aggregated data, their flow, and programs that handle those data. 24 is a flowchart of the operation of printing out the total data, FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the operation of printing out the total data, and FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the display screen of the console unit.

First, the operator selects the second button in the console hierarchical display screen.
7. Select the service mode screen shown in Figure 7. Next, touch the desired range - 0 data designation button and press the start button to print out various data.

(Operation with log button) In Fig. 23, 732p is an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as O3) for controlling the entire device, and 731
p is an output program for printing out aggregated data and adjustment setting values (this program name is called log)
, 730p is a control program that performs sequence control and various timing controls of the device.

Reference numeral 742d is aggregated data, which the OS program 732p updates and manages every time there is a copy or failure.
41d, the OS program 732p is the output program 73
A value for specifying the processing range of the log program 731 is entered as an argument passed to 1p. Reference numeral 745d is a return value that the output program 731p returns to 732p, and contains the identification code and error code of the content requested by the output program 731p to 03732p. code 744d
is control data for operation control passed from the output program 731p to the OS program 730p. These data reside in battery-backed RAM within system controller 700. Reference numeral 743d indicates button data for character generation used by the output program 731p, and basic data for generating various graphs such as bar graphs, pie charts, and line graphs, which are stored in the ROM.For example, character data is in vector format, and bitmap format. The amount of data required is extremely small compared to , and the character shape and size can be changed arbitrarily when outputting.

Reference numeral 982 in FIGS. 15 and 17 is a document for printing out only specific data from the total data, and examples of printing out the total data are shown in FIG.
If you compare the original in FIG. 15 and the printout in FIG. 16, which are shown in the printout 699 in FIG. printout 69
9, and a thick rectangular number string 699a that does not exist in the original image is newly inserted.

The number string is a visualization of the aggregated data in the form of numbers that can be read by humans. i.e. printout 699
is a composite copy of the original image, enlarged image, and automatically generated number string. The operation will be described below.

28 to 30 and 34 are diagrams showing printout examples, and FIGS. 31 to 33 and 35 are diagrams showing display screens of the console unit.

When the log button shown in FIG. 27 is pressed, the inside color of the button changes so that the operator can see that the log output mode has been entered. By performing the processing shown in FIG. 24, the printout shown in FIG. 16 or 18 can be obtained.

Referring to this figure, after pressing the log button, the operator selects one page 98 of the document as shown in Figure 15.17.
2, place it on the platen 2 of the scanner, and then press the start button to obtain a print as shown in FIG. 15 or 17.

Note that these manuscripts 982 will be referred to as log cards. Figure 15 is a log card for outputting the number of copies made by this copying machine according to size. An 8-bit black and white pattern code 982a is attached to the leading edge of the original, and other parts are is pre-printed to combine and print when printing out the size-specific aggregate data. The direction in which the card is placed is such that the direction in which the 8-bit buttons are lined up is the scanning direction of the scanning line. Similarly, FIG. 17 is a log card for outputting failure totals for each part, and the card with the button code 982a is different from that in FIG.

When you press the start button, the system controller 700
At this time, the OS program 732p in the program knows that it is a log operation in service mode, so it first sets the argument 741d to the request code for outputting the aggregated data and executes l
The og program 731p is called and executed. Note that in order to print out one page of total data, the log program 731p needs to be called and executed multiple times. The log program 731p performs different processing depending on a plurality of calls, and the details of the processing on the number of calls side are shown in FIG.

The log program 731p called for the first time supplies control variables 744 necessary for color detection operation to the control program 730p.
Calculate d and pass it on. Further, the distance data from the leading edge of the document to the pattern 982a is given to the color detection circuit 222, that is, the sub-scanning position data is given to the color detection circuit 222 as one of 222-21a, b, c, and d.
”).

Finally, a request for original image scanning operation is returned to the OS program 732p as a return value 745d.

OS program 732p that received a return value of 745d
gives a scan operation command to the scanner 100, and after completing the reading operation of one original image, the log program 73 is executed again.
Call 1p.

Referring to FIG. 25, the log program 731p called for the second time is executed by the color detection circuit 22 that has finished scanning the original.
2 color registers 222-20a, b, c.

Since the RGB data of all pixels of one read scanning line at the sub-scanning position is stored in one of the registers d, read the data in the color register, check the mark button code,
Determine whether the code is correct or incorrect.

If the black of the original is 1 and the white is 0, for example, the code in Figure 15 is 10100101, and the code in Figure 17 is 101001.
It should be possible to determine it as 01. If the code is invalid, an error code is returned as the return value. An invalid case is a case where the code for which aggregated data is output cannot be detected.0
For example, I was able to read the log card's slam code, but it was 101.
There are several types, such as when it does not correspond to 00101 or 10110101, or when the button code cannot be detected (00000000).

The OS program 732p that received the fraudulent code displays on the console 750 the message "The 10g card is incorrect" and prompts the operator to perform the operation again.

If the operator does not have the correct card, he will not be able to obtain the information 724d inside the copier.

If the button code 982a is determined to be correct,
Determine the information to be output corresponding to the determined code,
For example, if the code is 10100101, it is the total number of copies by size. Copy summary data by size exists in 724d, and in order to make this data visible, a special color paint pattern can be ordered and temporarily stored in the memory unit 400 (or it can also be directly printed out). That is, in order to create a number string paint button such as 699a shown in FIG. 16 from the total data 724d, color processing coefficients for painting a number string of a desired color are set in the coefficient register 209-10a of the color correction circuit 209. , register 209-1 in the same way to make the background part of the number string white (blank)
0b is loaded with all O coefficients for white paint. Also, the area register 224 of the image area designation circuit 224
-33, b15-b13 are loaded with values 0 and 1 so that you can select the blank area (paint with no color) and the paint area with the desired color.In order to switch between these two areas as appropriate, load the values 0 and 1. After the process starts, it is necessary to provide area switching data in units of scanning lines, but the area switching data for all these scanning lines is provided in this program 731p.
is planned in advance and prepared as control data 734d.

Finally, 731b returns the ID number (identification number) of the identified log card and the request code for image processing operation as a return value 745d.
and returns it to the OS program 732p.

The OS that received the log card ID number and image processing request
The program 732p starts with 724d on the console 750.
Among the data in the file, only the data portion corresponding to the ID number is displayed and then the control program 730p is called to perform an image processing cycle for one page. The one-page image processing operation amount control program 730p continues to supply area switching signals to the area designation circuit based on the control data 744d. Then, regardless of the image data input to the color correction circuit 209, the area of the number string button is painted in the color previously set in the color correction circuit 209, and the base of the number becomes blank. Further, the image data 201 subjected to image processing in this manner is stored in the memory unit 400. Note that the memory unit 400 operates in the storage mode, which is the second operation mode, by the command operation of 03732p. When this process is completed, 03732p is the third log program 7
Makes a 31p call.

The log program 731p called for the third time, if there are no more number strings, returns the number of CMY image data in the memory unit 400 and the operation request for image data synthesis copy cycle for scanning the original image as a return value 037.
32p, the movement of the image processor 200 and the variable magnification circuit 205 are set with movement parameters such that the button code portion 982a of the log card is removed from the copy paper 699 and a parameter with a magnification of 2x is set. put.

If you want to overwrite yet another number string in the memory unit 400, the second time the call is made, the same process is performed, and the lowest bit bo, which is the memory override signal of the area register group 224-33, is set to 1. Set it and
Returns the same return value as before and exits. In such a case, for example, the correction circuit 209 can process four types of colors at the same time, but the number paint color on the printout of total data may be divided into more types (four or more types). Occurs when you say something like "I want to".

For example, in the case of painting five different colors, first paint three colors and blank, then paint and blank the remaining two, and store each number string button painted in a different color in the memory unit. 400 is sufficient.

0S732p repeats the same process as before if the return value is an image processing request as in the case of the previous call.

If the return value is a composite copy request for CMY@image data in the memory unit 400 and original image data, the scanner 1
00 and an operation command signal to the printer unit 600, and energizes the memory unit 400 to the third operation mode, which is the data read mode.Furthermore, after the operation starts, the control program 730p is called to control the memory unit 400. A visible image is formed on paper 699 by combining the CMY data in 400 and the K (black) data of the original. Furthermore, the data is enlarged to the original image because the moving magnification circuit 205 has set the parameter for 2x enlargement, and the data is stored in the memory unit 40.
CMY images within 0 are combined as they are.

In the above embodiment, there is a step of reading the document, a step of pattern code recognition, generation of CMY color character strings and storage in memory, and a step of re-reading the document to create an image and CMY in the memory.
A minimum of three steps were required: reading out the MY images, composing the K and CMY images, and printing them out. This is possible even if the program execution speed of the system controller 700 is relatively slow, and another important point is that, as mentioned earlier, the number of parallel multiple processes of the image processing circuit 200 exceeds the number of paint colors, for example. 1 image
This is to satisfy the demand that the image be formed on a single sheet of paper.

If there are no such restrictions or requirements, it can be done quite simply and quickly. That is, the memory unit 400 is activated to the first mode (delay operation for each CMY data), and the scanner 100. The printer unit 600 is operated.

The scanner 100 scans the slam code portion 892a at the leading edge of the document, and as soon as one scanning line of original image data is stored in the color detection circuit 222, it is decoded and the total data to be output is determined. Then, just before the sub-scanning advances to the position where the total value is to be recorded, the color processing parameters, area processing parameter settings, and area switching data generation processing for generating the number string bang are completed, and after reaching the number string generation position, It is sufficient to continue applying the area switching signal until the end of original image scanning.

Also, if the department code is included in the log card's button code, it is easy to output billing management information for each department.The button code in Figure 0 is a black and white 8-bit code to simplify the explanation. However, since the color detection capability of the color detection circuit 222 is for 4 scanning lines, even if a slight deviation when placing the card on the platen L is taken into consideration, it will have several hundred bits of information. This is easy, and it would be virtually impossible to forge a card through trial and error. It would be even more perfect if the button part of the card had color information by utilizing the RGB color detection function.

When the code section of the log card is made complicated in this way, the information 742d in the copying machine can be displayed on the console 750 or printed out using a different operation method. This uses the property that, as mentioned above, there is almost no probability that a complicated slam code image exists in a typical original to be copied. Then, without switching the console screen to the service screen as described above, in general copy mode, first scan the document to read the document information, perform button code recognition, and check if it is not a log card. A copy image is formed during the second scan, and when it is determined to be a log card, information corresponding to the ID number contained therein can be output.Scanning for reading document information is generally done using a pre-scan method. It is still widely used today to detect document size.

Up to now, we have described the printout slam pattern as the occurrence of number bangs, but as shown in Figure 18, it is important that the shape, color, and pattern of the graph, etc., be accurate and easily legible for the operator. . Further, these various processes can be performed by setting appropriate parameters in the circuits 205 to 212.

(Operation with the test button) When the operator touches the test button in Fig. 27, multiple sensors to be tested are displayed, and the screen changes to a sensor specification screen where one of them can be specified.
You can see that the mode has changed. This mode is a mode in which the operation results of the various detection means of the copying machine are printed out so that the operator (serviceman) can easily judge the accuracy of the detection operations of the various detection means of the copying machine.

The color detection circuit 222, the size detection circuit 221, and the photoreceptor potential sensor 44CIIlly,k are taken as objects of detection means, and the printout results in this mode are shown in FIGS. 29, 30, and 34.

If you touch the test button to display the sensor specification screen, touch sensor specification button 1, and then press the start button, the system controller 700 activates the detection operation of the specified sensor to be tested, and the sensor Read and print out the detection results.

For example, when the sensor input by touch on the sensor specification screen is the photoreceptor potential sensor 44C, Jy+, the system controller 700 sends a command to the printer unit 600 for one image forming process operation and potential reading command to the signal line 600. After this is completed, time series data of potential detection is received from the printer unit 600. Next, a program to develop this data into graphs, characters, and numbers is executed, and the image processing parameters corresponding to the white background and the image processing parameters for the graphs and characters are loaded into the image processor 200, and the image processing parameters for the graph shape, characters, and numbers are loaded into the image processor 200.
Area switching data corresponding to the number shape is calculated in advance. Next, the image processor 200 and printer unit 6
00 is operated, and the previously prepared area switching data is sequentially output to the area specifying circuit of the image processor 200, thereby forming a printout 699 in FIG.

For example, if the sensor specified by touch on the sensor specification screen is a document sensor, the scanner 100 repeats scanning three times in total when the start button is pressed.
During the second and third scans of the document, the printer unit 600 also operates in synchronization with this, and when the second scan is completed, the color detection circuit 22 shown in the printout 699 in FIG.
2 operation results are obtained, and when the 3rd scan is completed, the 3rd operation result is obtained.
Size detection circuit 22 shown in printout 699 of Figure 0
1 operation result is obtained. Note that the document to be detected is set on the platen 1 before pressing the start button.

Referring to FIG. 29, the color detection result information is 699-10.
The paint strings 699-20b and 699-21b of the test code Ctest 1 shown in .

699- a paint string consisting of RGB headings and values indicated by 699-22b and 699-23b, respectively;
20a, 699-21a, 699-22a, 699-2
It is output as a rectangular paint frame centered on the detection position indicated by 3a.

Note that the same image as the original on the platen 1 is copied except for these parts to be painted. In other words, an image is obtained in which the original image and the detection information are combined. The center of 699-20a coincides with the first detection position, and its color is painted with the detected color. 699-20b is the RGB component value of the detection result data. 699-20a center (
The inside of the rectangular frame) is a copy of the original, so visually compare the inside and the paint frame 699-20a. If they match, you know that the detection circuit is working correctly, and if they are different, it is the color detection circuit. Color processing circuit 2 for painting 222 and frames
09 failure can be discovered. In such a case, it is possible to further examine the painted number string data for each RGB of 699-20b to determine whether the detection circuit 222 has malfunctioned or the color processing circuit 209 has failed. There are three other detection locations, and information is output in the same way as the previous part.

Referring to Figure 30, the information on the size detection results is 699.
- Heading with painted test items indicated by 10, 6
A paint frame 699-22b showing the planar shape of the platen 1 indicated by 99-21.

The part where the size (number of pixels) of the detection result in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is painted in a number pattern row, indicated by C, and the detection data indicated by 699-213 are painted in the same platen 1 paint frame 699-21. This is the part painted on a proportional scale.

Therefore, the operator can judge whether the detection accuracy is good or bad by comparing these painted patterns or number strings with the actual document on the platen.

699-22d also prints the original on the platen paint frame 699.
This is the portion of the image copied on the same proportional scale as -21.

Image movement processing is also performed using the movement/magnification circuit 205 in order to match one corner of the platen paint frame with one corner of the copy image.

Therefore, in the figure, 699-22d is shaded, but in reality, the same image as the original can be seen.

In this way, there is no need to compare the actual original on the platen with the printout, and it is convenient to investigate the original image at a later time even when testing multiple original images.

Next, the operation will be described.

When the test button is touched, the system controller 700 provides the sub-scanning position parameters of the predetermined color detection position to the color detection circuit 222, and the size detection circuit 22
1. Clear the internal size register (not shown).

When the start button is pressed, the system controller 70
0 outputs a scan start command to the scanner 100, and the scanner 100 scans the original. When scanning is completed, the color registers 222-2Qa, b, c, and d of the color detection circuit 222 each have one scanning line corresponding to the sub-scanning positions set in advance in the position registers 222-21a, b, c, and d. R.O.
The B data is stored, and the original size value (number of pixels) in the main scanning direction and the size value in the sub-scanning direction are set in the size register of the size detection circuit as detection results.

Since the values of these color registers 222-21 and size registers (not shown) can be arbitrarily read by the system controller 700, they are read and temporarily stored in the RAM, which is a work memory within the system controller 700. After that, processing for printing the color detection result information on copy paper is performed.

The information can be printed out by the eJI area specifying circuit 224 outputting a shape area signal such as a number string, character string, or frame, and the color processing circuit 205 receiving this signal painting the area in a predetermined color. This process is described previously
Since the operation is similar to that of the g button, a detailed explanation will be omitted. Simply put, the system controller 700 calculates character strings, numeric buttons, and frame shapes from the color detection data in the work memory, and stores them in the work memory as area switching data. In addition, parameters for normal processing and paint processing are set in the color processing circuit 205, and the area specification circuit 205
Normal color processing selection and paint processing selection numbers are set in area register 24.

After the above processing is completed, an initial operation start command is issued again to the scanner 100 and to the printer unit 600 to perform a series of copy cycles. While the image processor 200 is processing the image, the system controller 7
00 is a printout 699 shown in FIG. 29 that is obtained when the 0 cycle in which area switching data prepared in advance in the work memory is continuously provided to the area specifying circuit 224 while being updated for each scanning line is completed.

Thereafter, the shape of the number string, character string, and frame to be generated is calculated from the size detection data in the work memory, and the parameters are loaded into the color processing circuit 209 and the area designation processing circuit 224 as in the previous cycle. Furthermore, parameters for a predetermined magnification and movement amount are set in the magnification/movement circuit 205.

When these preparation processes are completed, the system controller 7
00 issues a third scan command to the scanner 100 and a second print scan command to the printer unit 600 to execute a copy cycle and obtain a printout 699 shown in FIG.

<Operation with adj and buttons> When the operator touches the adj button in FIG. 27, places the document 982 shown in FIG. 19 on platen 1, and presses the start button, the print as shown in FIG. You get an out of 699. The printout 699 records the adjustment values of the adjustment points of the copying machine as a visible image. For example, the rectangular pattern shown in FIG.
, C is a scale representing the displacement from the standard delay amount of the image data, that is, a scale representing the adjustment setting value of the delay amount, and a scale of the adjustment value of the register timing.

The original 982 is called an adj card, and has a black and white button at its tip, and a code corresponding to 8 bits, with black as 1 and white as O. There are multiple types of adj cards, each with a different code. In addition to this code portion 982a, characters and memory are printed on each adj card. These printed portions are enlarged and copied onto printout 699. In short, a composite copy of the enlarged image of the adj card and the internally generated paintbang associated with the adjustment value is obtained as a printout 699.

The operating procedure and processing procedure are almost the same as in the case of the operation with the log button. That is, the log program 73 in FIG.
1p also has a function of outputting adjustment values, and the data 742d has a data structure in which these data to be output are added. The OS program 732p manages these data 742d, and when calling the log program 731p, the argument 741d must be a value that indicates that it is within the range of adjustment value output, unlike when outputting aggregated data. Other than this, it is basically the same as (operation with log button), so further explanation will be omitted.

(Operation with data button) When you touch the data button in Figure 27, the color inside the button changes, and if you touch it again, it returns to the original color.When the color changes, the data mode is activated. In the other service modes explained so far, even though the original may be copied, that is not the main purpose, but the main purpose is to print out the internal information using the paint function. On the other hand, this mode aims to add these adjustment values to the copied image while making a copy while adjusting the magnification, density, color tone, etc. in the same way as in normal copying work.
When the color of the data button changes on the console screen shown in the figure, the back button is touched and the data mode attribute is maintained even if the screen moves to a higher hierarchical screen. When a normal copy operation is performed with the data mode attribute attached, a color tone adjustment value 699a is printed in the upper right corner as shown in printout 699 in FIG. 28. 699a uses the paint function of the color processing circuit 209 like the other modes, and the portions other than 699a are completely normal original copy images. In this example, only the hue adjustment value is output,
The reason that other adjustment values such as density and magnification are not output is because they remain set to standard values. Although it is possible to output everything, the disadvantage is that it is complicated.

(Operations using the c-data button) The c-data button in Figure 27 is divided into two parts, left and right. A similar screen appears, and a character string to be added can be input.If the right side is touched, a screen as shown in FIG. 35 appears, and it is possible to input character string modifications that determine the print mode of the input character string. The additional character string input using these screens becomes the button TITLE shown in FIG. 28 699b.

When the operator first touches the left side of the c-data button in Figure 27, a character string input screen appears, and a message indicating that the print position is not on the west side of the keyboard is specified using the tablet. The operator uses the tablet to press 1 in the upper left of the character string that will be input.
Enter a point, followed by the character string TITLE. Next, touch the back button on the same screen to return to the west side of Figure 27.

Next, if you touch the right side of the Cdata button, the character string modification screen shown in FIG. 35 will appear. Here code 750-50
The print paper range indicated by and the character string 7 entered earlier
50-52. The specified position 750-51 is displayed, and the font and size of the 0 character that can be confirmed are determined by the modification information that the system controller 700 has as default. If you want to leave it as is, press the start button and you will get a print in which this character string is combined with the copied image.

If you want to change it, touch the xl, 2, 3.4 modification button corresponding to the modification item in Figure 35 and perform the modification operation. In Figure 35, code 750-10b is the modification item when changing the character string size. Heading, code 750-10c is size scale and current value, code 750-10 and 750-
11 are reduction and enlargement buttons, respectively.

(Designation of Image Processing Contents Based on Results of Automatic Image Area Recognition) It was mentioned above that the image processing contents can be made different for each image area based on the automatic image area recognition results.

Therefore, how to instruct the different image processing contents will be described here. FIG. 31 is an area selection screen for automatically recognized image areas of the console 750, and C9CC, P, and H are buttons representing black text, color text, photographs, and halftone image areas, respectively. The buttons whose colors are reversed indicate that image processing other than standard image processing will be performed.If you touch one of the four buttons on the screen, a screen will appear to specify the processing details for the image area indicated by that button. to move to.

FIG. 32 shows a black character image processing designation screen that appears when the C button is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 31.

The fact that it is a black character image designation screen can be confirmed by the display of C at 750-10a. On this screen, buttons Xl to X8 are processing designation buttons subdivided into processing ranges such as gradation conversion two-color processing, spatial filter processing, etc. Touching one of these buttons will display the modifier heading 750-
The same mark as that button is displayed at 10b, a scale and a pointer are displayed at 750-10c, and buttons for moving the pointer left and right are displayed at 750-10.75011. If the memory is in the center, it is standard processing; if it is displaced to the left or right, it is non-standard processing. The color of the process specification button for which non-standard processing is specified is reversed. Furthermore, when the back button is touched to return to the screen shown in FIG. 31, if there is even one image processing item in a non-standard state, the button color in that area will be displayed in reverse.

In this way, it has become possible to designate the image processing content for each image area and visually confirm it according to the image processing category for each image area.

After this, when the start button is pressed, the system controller 700 loads predetermined image processing parameters into the image processor 200, and copies with different image processing for each region are obtained.

(Specification of Image Processing Contents Based on a Combination of Automatic Image Area Recognition Results and Specified Area) When the operator specifies an area using the digitizer tablet 900, the area shape is displayed on the console 750. FIG. 33 shows a circular area 750-10h and a rectangular area 75.
This is a case where two areas 0-10j are input. The system controller 750 automatically assigns al, a to these areas.
2 and is displayed approximately in the middle of the area shape display. Areas other than these two areas are given area names aO and similarly displayed as 750-10g.

When you touch the aQ, al, and aajl area display, the screen changes to the one shown in FIG. 31, and it becomes possible to start specifying image processing for each of four types of automatic recognition wi image areas in a specific specified area. Figure 31 shows the circular area (al) 750 in Figure 33.
In the case where -10h is touched, it can be confirmed by the a1 display shown as 750-1Of. On this screen, C, CC, P,
If the H button is touched, the screen for specifying the image processing category shown in FIG. 32 appears, as in the case where there is no specified area, and the same operations as before can be performed.

In this way, it is possible to specify different image processing for each designated area, black text, color text, photograph, and halftone image within a specific designated area, and obtain a copy image as a result.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, the present invention configured as described above has the following effects.

In the information output device according to claim (1), the control means prints out the copier information only when the code information of the specific part of the document matches the specific code that allows information output. Only the person holding the printed card can access the information, increasing security and ease of use without significantly increasing the cost of the device.
Copier information can be obtained as a hard copy.

In the information output device according to claim (2), the control means outputs an error message when the code information of the specific portion of the document does not match the specific code, and outputs an error message when the code information matches the specific code that allows information output. By displaying copier information on the console for the first time, only those with a card with a specific code can obtain the information, increasing security and ease of use without significantly increasing the cost of the device. The copier information can be obtained as a soft copy.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 35 are for explaining one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of a digital color copying machine to which the embodiment is applied, and Figure 2 is an illustration of a digital color copying machine to which the embodiment is applied. A block diagram of a digital color copying machine, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an image processor, Fig. 4 is a partial block diagram common to the main parts of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the automatic image area recognition circuit in Fig. 3. Block diagram, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the image area designation circuit in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the area register in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the color correction circuit in FIG. 3. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the arithmetic circuit in Figure 8, Figures 10 and 11.
12, 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the embodiment, FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18,
Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22 are explanatory diagrams of printouts of specific data in aggregated data;
The figure is an explanatory diagram showing various types of aggregate data, their flow, and the program Rin that handles those data. Figure 24 is a flowchart of the operation of printing out aggregate data. Figure 25
The figure is a flowchart of the operation of printing out aggregated data, Figure 26 is a block diagram of the color detection circuit in Figure 3, Figure 27 is an explanatory diagram showing the dot matrix display and transparent touch switch on the console panel, and Figure 26 is a block diagram of the color detection circuit in Figure 3. Figure 28, 2nd
9 and 30 are explanatory diagrams each showing an example of printout, FIGS. 31, 32, and 33 are explanatory diagrams of the display screen of the console unit, respectively, and FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of printout, FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of the display screen of the console unit. 100...Scanner, 200...
...Image processor, 205...
- Moving magnification circuit, 206... Image editing circuit, 207... Spatial filter circuit, 20
8......RGB gamma correction correction circuit, 20
9...Color correction circuit, 210...
...CMYK gamma correction circuit, 211...
・・CMYK spatial filter circuit, 212・・・・・・・
...Dither processing circuit, 221......Document size detection circuit, 222...Document color detection circuit, 224......Image area specification circuit , 23
0... Data compression circuit, 231...
...Compressed data decompression circuit, 400...
...Memory unit, 500...Magnetic disk unit, 600...Printer unit, 700...System controller, 750... ...console unit, 9
00・・・・・・Digitizer unit, 950・
...... Sorter unit, 980...
・・・ADF unit, 990...External device connection terminal and Figure 1Q Figure 1 Funeral diagram Figure 16 Figure 20 Figure 22 Figure 23 Figure 30 3I Figure 28 Figure 29 699-23a Figure 32 Figure 33 150 JO

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An image reading means that separates and reads an original image into pixels, an image forming means that forms a visible image on a recording medium based on the image data read by the image reading means, and command input to and from the device. In an information output device for a copying machine having a console for displaying a message, and an information storage means for storing a plurality of types of information of the copying machine, when an output command for information in the information storage means is input from the console, The image reading means reads at least a portion of the image data, recognizes the image information included in the image data, and when it is determined that specific image information is included, the information in the information storage means is read. An information output device for a copying machine, characterized in that the information output device for a copying machine is provided with a control means for executing control to form a visible image on the recording medium. (2) An image reading means that separates and reads the original image into pixels, an image forming means that forms a visible image on a recording medium based on the image data read by the image reading means, and command input to and from the device. In an information output device of a copying machine, which has a console that displays a message, and an information storage means that stores multiple types of information about the copying machine, when a command to output information in the information storage means is input from the console. , takes in data of at least a part of the image data read by the image reading means, recognizes the image information included in the image data, and when it is determined that specific image information is included, the information stored in the information storage means is read. Information output of a copying machine, characterized in that it is equipped with a control means for displaying information on the console and displaying an error message on the console when it is determined that specific image information is not included. Device.