JPH04233083A - Image information input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To store an image in an upright state into a memory are by previously inputting the instruction of correcting the direction of image information from a correcting instruction input means by an operator when the direction of the contents of an original read by an image scanner is in toppled state. CONSTITUTION:When reading the contents described in the original by an image scanner 10 and recording those contents to a memory area 11 of a host computer, two systems such as a standard transfer system 12 and a rotational transfer system 13 are provided as the system of information transfer to the memory area 11. The standard transfer system 12 is used when the direction of the original contents is in the upright state, and information read by the image scanner 10 is transferred to the memory area 11 as it is. The rotational transfer system 13 is operated only when the correcting instruction is given from the correcting instruction input means concerning the direction of the original contents. When setting the original to the original platen of the image scanner 10, it is decided to either the upright state or the toppled state.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image information input method in which content written on a document is read using an image scanner and recorded in a memory area for storing image data.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art An image scanner is used to input characters, figures, etc. on a document into a computer in the form of binary figure data. An image scanner is equipped with a reading head that extends in the main scanning direction, and the reading head is moved in the sub-scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction) over a fixed document, or is fixed at a fixed position and the document is moved in the sub-scanning direction under the reading head, converting characters and figures on the document into binary data in units of 1 or n lines along the main scanning direction. The read data is sequentially transferred in fixed amounts to the image scanner interface.

[0003]The image scanner interface transfers a certain amount of data received from the image scanner to a memory area (image memory) designated by a host computer by a method such as DMA transfer. Then, by transferring the data stored in the memory area to the VRAM of a display device (display), the read contents of the document can be displayed on the display device.

[0004] FIGS. 2(a), (b), (c) and FIG. 3
(a), (b), and (c) schematically show a conventional image information input method in which figures and the like on a document are imported into a computer using an image scanner and displayed on a display device.

FIGS. 2(a) and 3(a) show a case where figures, etc. on a document are read by an image scanner, and reference numeral 1 indicates a reading head of the image scanner;
2 is the manuscript. In this way, if the document 2 is rectangular, the direction of the short side 2a of the document 2 is set in the direction in which the reading head 1 extends (
In other words, by aligning the main scanning direction (direction shown by arrow A in the figure) and aligning the long side 2b of the document 2 with the sub-scanning direction (direction shown by arrow B in the figure), the original can be read. size can be maximized. In Figure 2 (
b) and FIG. 3B show the storage contents in the memory area 3 that stores data read by the image scanner. In the conventional case, the content written on the document remains in the same orientation as when it is read by an image scanner.
Store in memory area 3. Furthermore, FIGS. 2(c) and 3(c) show the display device 4 in a state where the content read by the image scanner is displayed. In the conventional case, the information stored in the memory area 3 is normally transferred as is to the VRAM for the display device 4 and displayed on the display device 4.

[0006]

[Problem to be solved by the invention] By the way, as mentioned above, in the conventional case, the content described in the manuscript is
The data is stored in the memory area 3 in the same orientation as when it was read by the image scanner, and the content stored in the memory area 3 is transferred to the VRAM as it is without converting the orientation etc.
It is displayed on the display device 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2(a), if the content of the document is in an upright state when being read by the image scanner, the display on the display device 4 will also be in an upright state, as shown in FIG. 2(c). The display on the display device 4 is easy to see. Note that the above-mentioned upright state means that the direction in which the reading head 1 of the image scanner extends (i.e., the main scanning direction, the direction indicated by arrow A in the figure) is the content on the document 2 (
This refers to a state in which the width direction of the content (figures, etc.) coincides with the width direction, and the sub-scanning direction (direction indicated by the arrow B in the figure) coincides with the vertical direction of the content on the document.

However, as shown in FIG. 3(a), if the content of the document is not in an upright state when being read by the image scanner, but is in a horizontally rotated state, which is rotated 90 degrees from the upright state, the content of the document in FIG. As shown in (c), the image data will be displayed on the display device 4 in its overturned state, and in order to make the display on the display device 4 easier to read, the image data will be
There was a problem in that an instruction to rotate by 0 degrees had to be input into the computer.

[0008] In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed to always orient the original so that the content is erect and have it read by an image scanner. but,
In such a case, if the content of the document is horizontally long as shown in FIG.
There was a problem in that the original had to be scaled using another copying machine or the like so that it was smaller than the width of the original.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is an image information input method in which the content written on a document is read using an image scanner and recorded in a memory area for storing image data. Regardless of the orientation of the content of the original when it is read by the image scanner, the content of the original can be stored in the memory area in an erect state. Therefore, even if the content is written horizontally, it is possible to make scaled copies, etc. It is possible to obtain an easy-to-read image in an erect state on the display device without the hassle of erecting the image, and it also maximizes the size of the document that can be read by aligning the short side of the document with the main scanning direction of the image scanner's reading head. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an image information input method that allows users to input image information.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] The image information input method according to claim 1 reads the content written on a document using an image scanner and records it in a memory area for storing image data, Specifically, it includes a modification instruction input means for inputting a modification instruction for the orientation of the content of the document, and a correction instruction input means for inputting a modification instruction from the modification instruction input means, and a correction instruction input means for inputting the image information read by the image scanner. and a rotation mechanism that rotates by a fixed amount and stores it in the memory area.

[0011]The content stored in the memory area is always erected in a certain direction by operating the rotation mechanism as necessary.

In the image information input method according to claim 2, the information read by the image scanner is temporarily stored in a plurality of buffer memories in a fixed amount sequentially, and the rotation mechanism is configured to input the image information in each buffer memory. The data is characterized in that it is subjected to a quantitative rotation process and then stored in the memory area.

[0013]

[Operation] In the image information input method according to the present invention, when the orientation of the content of the document read by the image scanner is in a sideways state, the operator inputs an instruction to correct the orientation of the image information from the correction instruction input means in advance. By doing so, image information can be stored in the memory area in an erect state.

[0014] Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the contents of the document when it is read by the image scanner, the contents of the document can always be stored in the memory area in an upright state;
Therefore, even if the document is written in a horizontally long manner, an erect, easy-to-see image can be obtained on the display device without the need for scale copying or the like. Furthermore, by aligning the short side of the document with the main scanning direction of the image scanner's reading head, it is possible to maximize the size of the document that can be read.

Further, as described in claim 2, the data read by the image scanner is distributed to a plurality of buffer memories and temporarily stored, and while the read data is stored in one buffer memory, the data is stored in another buffer memory. If the data already stored in the memory is rotated, the rotation process can be completed sequentially while the image scanner is reading the data, reducing processing time and changing the orientation of the content on the document. Regardless of the situation, image information in an erect state can be efficiently stored in the memory area.

[0016]

Embodiment FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of an image information input method according to the present invention. The image information input method of this embodiment uses an image scanner 10 to read the content written on a document and records it in a memory area 11 designated by a host computer for storing image data. As shown in image scanner 1
There are two information transfer systems, a standard transfer system 12 and a rotational transfer system 13, for transferring the image information read by 0 to the memory area 11.

The standard transfer system 12 is used when the content of the document is erected when it is read by the image scanner 10.
The read information is transferred to the memory area 11 as it is. On the other hand, the rotation transfer system 13 is connected to the image scanner 10.
This is used when the content of the document is not erect when being read by the image scanner 10.
The read information is subjected to a predetermined amount of rotation processing and then transferred to the memory area 11.

The rotation transfer system 13 will be described in detail below. In the image information input method of this embodiment, the input unit (keyboard, etc.) of the image scanner 10 or computer is equipped with a correction instruction input means (not shown) for inputting correction instructions for the orientation of the content of the document. There is. The rotation transfer system 13 operates only when there is a correction instruction from the correction instruction input means, and the standard transfer system 12 automatically operates when there is no correction instruction.

In this embodiment, when a document is set on the document table of the image scanner 10, the contents of the document are erected (as shown in FIG. 2(a)) or rotated 90 degrees clockwise. Rotated rollover state (state of (a) in Figure 3)
It is set to be one of the following. By setting in this manner, it is possible to limit the direction and amount of rotation when rotation processing is performed by the rotation transfer system 13, and the input instruction in the correction instruction input means can also be set to "rotate". All you need is instructions.

Now, the rotation transfer system 13 has a plurality of (
In this case, two buffer memories 15 and 16) and the image information stored in these buffer memories 15 and 16 are rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise and transferred to the memory area 11.
The rotating mechanism 18 is housed in the rotating mechanism 18.

The image scanner 10 can read data for n lines arranged in the main scanning direction at one time. Then, every time the position is shifted in the sub-scanning direction, reading of data for n lines is repeated. And read n
The information for each line is sequentially transferred to the buffer memory 15 or 16 described above, but the transfer destination buffer memory is alternately switched. That is, for example, if n lines of data read in a certain read operation are transferred to the buffer memory 15, n lines of data read in the next read operation are transferred to the buffer memory 15.
The data for the line is transferred to the buffer memory 16, and the data read in the next read operation is further transferred to the buffer memory 15.

Each of the buffer memories 15 and 16 described above stores a series of n lines of data transferred from the image scanner 10 divided into cells, and when the stored data is transferred to the rotation mechanism 18, Transfer in units of cells. Here, a cell refers to data for n×n pixels. Note that the width and height values n of one cell are set to be multiples of 8 bits, which is the smallest unit that can be accessed in a normal memory device. does not require. Reference numeral 20 in FIG. 4 indicates a cell configuration of data stored in the buffer memory 15 or buffer memory 16. That is, the data for n lines read by the image scanner 10 is composed of m cells numbered from the first to the mth cell.

The rotation mechanism 18 is connected to the image scanner 1.
While the read data of 0 is stored in one buffer memory, the data stored in the other buffer memory is read in cell units, rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, and stored in memory area 11. do. In Figure 4,
Reference numeral 21 indicates rotation processing by the rotation mechanism 18, and reference numeral 2
2 shows a cell arrangement of data stored in the memory area 11 via the rotation mechanism 18. That is, by being processed by the rotation mechanism 18, a data string for n lines in the main scanning direction on the document is rearranged into a data string for n lines in the sub-scanning direction, and the data string is stored in the memory area 11. . Furthermore, the storage position of the data string on the memory area 11 is
The process starts from the left side of FIG. 4 and moves sequentially to the right side.

In order to display the content read by the image scanner 10 on the display device of the computer, the data stored in the memory area 11 is transferred to the VRAM for the display device.
Transfer to etc. The transfer may be performed sequentially each time information is transferred from the rotation mechanism 18, or may be performed after all read information has been stored in the memory area 11.

In the image information input method of the embodiment as described above, when the orientation of the content of the document read by the image scanner 10 is in a sideways state, the operator instructs in advance to correct the orientation of the image information from the correction instruction input means. By inputting this instruction, image information can be stored in the memory area in an upright position.

[0026] Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the content of the original when it is read by the image scanner 10, the content of the original can always be stored in the memory area 11 in an erect state, so that the content can be written horizontally. Even if the original is an original, it is possible to obtain an erect, easy-to-see image on a display device without taking the trouble of making scale copies or the like. Furthermore, by aligning the short side of the document with the main scanning direction of the image scanner's reading head, it is possible to maximize the size of the document that can be read.

[0027] Furthermore, the data read by the image scanner 10 is distributed to a plurality of buffer memories and temporarily stored.
While reading data is stored in one buffer memory, the data already stored in another buffer memory is rotated, so that the rotation process can be completed sequentially while data is being read by the image scanner 10. , processing time can be shortened, and image information in an erect state can be efficiently stored in the memory area regardless of the orientation of the content on the document.

In the above embodiment, two buffer memories are used to store information read by the image scanner 10, but three or more buffer memories may be used.

[0029]

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, in the image information input method according to the present invention, when the orientation of the content of the document read by the image scanner is in a sideways state,
When the operator inputs an instruction to correct the orientation of the image information from the correction instruction input means in advance, the image information can be stored in the memory area in an erect state.

[0030] Therefore, regardless of the orientation of the contents of the document when it is read by the image scanner, the contents of the document can always be stored in the memory area in an upright state;
Therefore, even if the document is written in a horizontally long manner, an erect, easy-to-see image can be obtained on the display device without the need for scale copying or the like. Furthermore, by aligning the short side of the document with the main scanning direction of the image scanner's reading head, it is possible to maximize the size of the document that can be read.

Further, as described in claim 2, the data read by the image scanner is distributed to a plurality of buffer memories and temporarily stored, and while the read data is stored in one buffer memory, the data read in another buffer memory is stored temporarily. If the data already stored in the memory is rotated, the rotation process can be completed sequentially while the image scanner is reading the data, reducing processing time and changing the orientation of the content on the document. Regardless of the situation, image information in an erect state can be efficiently stored in the memory area.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of conventional image information processing using an image scanner.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of conventional image information processing using an image scanner.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of rotation processing in an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Reading head 2 Document 3 Memory area 4 Display device 10 Image scanner 12 Standard transfer system 13 Rotary transfer system 15 Buffer memory 16 Buffer memory 18 Rotation mechanism 20 Cell array of data on buffer memory 21
Rotation processing

Claims (2)

[Claims] [Claim 1] An image information input method that uses an image scanner to read the contents written on a document and records it in a memory area for storing image data, and for inputting correction instructions for the orientation of the contents of the document. and a rotation mechanism that rotates the image information read by the image scanner by a predetermined amount and stores it in the memory area when a modification instruction is input from the modification instruction input means. . An image information input method characterized in that the contents stored in the memory area are always erected in a certain direction. 2. The information read by the image scanner is temporarily stored in a plurality of buffer memories in a fixed amount sequentially, and the rotation mechanism rotates a predetermined amount of the image information for each buffer memory to rotate the image information in the memory area. 2. The image information input method according to claim 1, wherein the image information is stored in the image information input method.