JPH04290066A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To synthesize plural output images to one image on memory in a device after dividing an image original with size unreadable by a reading part into plural images in single action, and reading them for plural number of times. CONSTITUTION:One image original is divided into the plural images and they are read by an image reading part 20 via a CPU 50 for plural number of times. Similarly, superimposed parts in read images are deleted by a pattern matching method, and they are synthesized in the memory 60, then, they are outputted as one image.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that reads an original image and outputs the read image.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional image forming apparatus, there is known an apparatus that reads an original image and outputs the read image onto recording paper. In this conventional image forming apparatus, in order to obtain an output image of an image original of a size that cannot be read at once by the reading unit of this apparatus, for example, the image original is divided into four parts and each division is read. The four output images are then combined into one image by an operator.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, an operator has to read one large image original document multiple times and then paste the output images of the multiple sheets together to compose the image. However, there is a problem that the bonding work is complicated.

[0004] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that is capable of dividing a large image document into parts and reading them multiple times, and then combining a plurality of output images into a single image on a memory within the apparatus. The purpose is to provide the following.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention divides one large image original and reads it multiple times, then recognizes the overlapping parts of the read images and synthesizes them in memory.
It is output as one image.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing a specific example of the above embodiment.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes an operation section 10, an image reading section 20 that reads an image original, stores the read image obtained by reading the image original, and performs image processing such as reduction and composition on the read image. It has an image signal control section 30, an image output section 40 that outputs a read image, a CPU 50 that controls each section of the above embodiment, and a RAM 60 used as a work area for the CPU 50.

The operation unit 10 includes a group of keys (not shown) that are pressed when setting modes such as normal copy mode and large-format original mode, a read key (not shown) that is pressed when reading an image original, and in the large-format original mode. It is composed of a reading end key (not shown) that is pressed to finish reading the image original. Here, the normal copy mode refers to a mode in which when an image document is read by the image reading unit 20, the read image is output without being combined. Furthermore, the large-format original mode means that an image original that is larger than the image original that the image reading unit 20 can read at one time is divided, the image reading unit 20 reads the image multiple times, and the read images are combined. This is the mode in which output is performed.

The image reading section 20 includes a document feeding device 21, a document table glass 22, a scanner unit 24, and a document feeder 21 shown in FIG.
Consisting of mirrors 25, 25a, lenses 26, color image sensors 27, amplifiers 28, 28a, 28b, etc., it optically reads the image original 23 and converts the read optical signals into electrical analog three primary color signals. This is an example of a reading means for reading an image original.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the image signal control section 30 in the above embodiment.

The image signal control section 30 includes A/D converters 31, 31a, and 31b, a Y signal generation circuit 32, a binarization circuit 33, a memory circuit 340, and a density conversion circuit 35.
and has. The A/D converters 31, 31a, and 31b convert analog three primary color signals received from the image reading section 20 into digital three primary color signals, respectively.
The Y signal generation circuit 32 includes A/D converters 31 and 31a.
, 31b, which generates a luminance signal based on the three primary color signals received from the three primary color signals. Here, assuming that the luminance signal is Y and the three primary color signals are R, G, and B, respectively, the luminance signal Y is obtained from the following equation.

Y=0.30R+0.59G+0.11B Binarization circuit 3
3 is a circuit that converts the multivalued luminance signal received from the Y signal generation circuit 32 into a binary image signal.

FIG. 4 shows the memory circuit 3 in the above embodiment.
FIG. 40 is a diagram showing details of 40.

The memory circuit 340 includes bitmap memories 341, 341a, 341b, and 341c, a pattern matching circuit 342, and an H counter/V counter 3.
43, 343a, 343b, 343c and selector 34
4 and an A3 memory 345. The bitmap memories 341, 341a, 341b, and 341c are memories that separately store the scanned images of four images when one image original is read four times in the large-format original mode. This is an example of a storage means that separately stores the read images when the reading means divides an image original larger than the image original that can be read at one time and causes the reading means to read it multiple times. .

The pattern matching matching circuit 342 includes bitmap memories 341, 341a, 341b, 341
This circuit uses a pattern matching method to recognize mutually overlapping image areas in two of the four read images stored in c. H counters/V counters 343, 343a, 343b, and 343c store addresses (bitmap memory 341, 341a,
341b and 341c).

The selector 344 selects the bitmap memory 3
One of the outputs of 41, 341a, 341b, 341c
You can choose one. The A3 memory 345 is a memory that combines and stores the scanned images of four sheets stored in the bitmap memories 341, 341a, 341b, and 341c into one image, and stores an image of A3 size recording paper at maximum. It is also a memory. Bitmap memory 341, 34
1a, 341b, 341c, pattern matching circuit 342, H counter/V counter 343, 343
a, 343b, 343c, and the A3 memory 345 are examples of image compositing means for composing separately stored read images with the image of the original image.

The density conversion circuit 35 inverts the image signal received from the binarization circuit 33 in the normal copy mode, or the image signal received from the A3 memory 345 in the large original mode, and inputs the inverted image signal to the image output section 40. This is a circuit that does this.

The image output section 40 includes an exposure control section 41, a photoreceptor 42, developing devices 43, 43a, transfer paper stacking sections 44, 44a, a transfer section 45, a fixing section 46, and a paper discharge section 47 shown in FIG.
It converts the image signal received from the image signal control unit 30 into an optical signal, and outputs the read image onto the transfer paper, and is an example of an output means that outputs the combined read image.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation in the large document mode of the above embodiment. Figure 6 (1) is
5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an image original that is larger than the image original that can be read at one time by the image reading unit 20. FIG.

First, in the following description, it is assumed that one image original is divided and read four times. Then, the operator sets the number of readings "4" by key input on the operation unit 10 (S1), and sets an image area slightly larger than 1/4 of the image original on the original table glass 22. When the CPU 50 determines that the read key has been pressed (S2), the image reading section 20 reads the image area of the image document set on the document platen glass 22 (S3), and stores the read image in the bitmap memory 341. Store (S4
). The same operation as above is performed for the remaining approximately 3/4 of the image area (S2, S3, S4, S5). That is, the read images of the remaining image areas are stored in bitmap memories 341a, 341b, and 341c, respectively. here,
When the operator sets an image area slightly larger than 1/4 of the image original on the document table glass 22, the set image area is set so that the peripheral portions of the set image area overlap each other with other image areas. Figure 6 (2), (3), (4)
, (5) are bitmap memories 341, 341a, 3
41b and 341c are diagrams showing specific examples of read images stored in 41b and 341c.

[0022] When the reading of all image areas of the image original is completed, the operator presses the reading end key. When the CPU 50 determines that the reading end key has been pressed (S6), the CPU 50 reads the read images from the bitmap memory 341 and the bitmap memory 341a, and stores the read images in the pattern matching circuit 342 ( S7).

[0023] Then, the pattern matching matching circuit is
Bitmap memory 341 and bitmap memory 34
1a, the overlapping image areas are recognized using a pattern matching method, and the address of the bitmap memory indicating the boundary between the recognized image area and the non-overlapping image area is determined. , H counter/V counter 343, 343a, and the read image for which pattern matching has been completed is stored in the bitmap memory 341 and the bitmap memory 341a. Memory 341, memory 341b, memory 341
and memory 341c, memory 341a and memory 341b,
Pattern matching is also performed on the read images stored in the memories 341a and 341c, and the memories 341b and 341c (S7, S8, S9). Figure 6
The broken lines in (2) to (5) indicate boundaries between image areas that overlap with each other and images that do not overlap with each other.

[0024] When pattern matching is completed (S9)
, H counter/V counter 343, 343a, 343b
, 343c, the CPU 50 reads out the read images stored in the bitmap memories 341, 341a, 341b, and 341c, and stores the read images in the A3 memory 345 via the selector 344 (S10 ). That is, after the CPU 50 reduces the read images of four sheets, they are combined into one image of A3 size recording paper and stored in the A3 memory 345. When combining the four scanned images, instead of overlapping the dashed line parts of the adjacent scanned images in FIGS. 6(2) to (5), use the edges of the overlapping areas and and the corresponding broken line are superimposed and synthesized. In other words, the overlapping areas are also included in the composite image.

[0025] To output the combined image, the operator presses the copy key. When the CPU 50 determines that the copy key has been pressed (S11), the CPU 50 reads the image stored in the A3 memory 345, inputs the read image to the image output unit 40, and outputs the input image to the image output unit 40. is output on recording paper (S12). Figure 6 (6)
is a plan view showing a specific example of an output image, and FIG. 6(1)
This is a reduced image of the original image.

As described above, one image original is read four times, and the pattern matching matching circuit 342 recognizes mutually overlapping image areas in the four read images, and the recognized image areas are Based on CPU50
reduces the four scanned images in the A3 memory 345 and combines them into one image before outputting it to recording paper, so one image original is divided into multiple parts and read, then multiple outputs This eliminates the need for the operator to paste images together.

Note that if the image output section 40 is capable of outputting onto a recording paper larger than the size of the image original to be read, the four read images are combined without being reduced, and a sheet of the same size as the image original is output. It may also be output on recording paper. In this case, the capacity of the memory 345 may be set depending on the size of the output image.

Furthermore, if the document table 22 is A1 size and is configured to be movable independently in the X and Y directions, each time the image document is divided and read, the image document is stand 2
There is no need to reset it to 2.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case was explained in which one image original is read by the image reading section 20 in four times, but one image original is divided into n times other than four times. The present invention can also be applied to the case where the image reading unit 20 reads the image. In this case, it is sufficient to provide n bitmap memories and n H counters/V counters.

Furthermore, instead of outputting the combined read image on recording paper, it may be recorded on a recording medium such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk.

[0031]

According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the need for an operator to paste together a plurality of output images after reading a single image original into a plurality of parts.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing a specific example of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the image signal control section 30 in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the memory circuit 340 in the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation in the large document mode of the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a specific example of an image original, a read image, and an output image in the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10... Operation unit, 20... Image reading unit, 30... Image signal control circuit, 32... Y signal generation circuit, 33... Binarization circuit, 340... Memory circuit, 341, 341a, 341b, 341c ... Bitmap memory, 342 ... Pattern matching matching circuit, 343, 34
3a, 343b, 343c...H counter/V counter, 345...A3 memory, 40...image output unit.

Claims (3)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A reading means for reading an image original; when the image original larger than the image original that the reading means can read at one time is divided and read by the reading means multiple times, storage means for separately storing the read images; image synthesis means for synthesizing the read images by recognizing an image area that is a peripheral part of the read image and overlaps with a peripheral part of an adjacent read image; An image forming apparatus comprising: an output means for outputting the synthesized read image. 2. In claim 1, the image synthesizing means recognizes overlapping image areas among the plurality of read images by a pattern matching method, and combines the plurality of read images based on the recognized image area. An image forming apparatus that combines an image with an image of the original image. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image synthesizing means synthesizes the plurality of read images after reducing each of the plurality of read images.