JPH05316328A - Image forming device and method for designating area for read picture - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To select a memory capacity for one band of picture data by calculating a head position of an image forming position for each band and reading sequentially picture data in matching with an image forming timing. CONSTITUTION:Data are sent to a printer control CPU 102 to initialize a printer section 20 and to set picture processing parameters. When the initializing of a reader section 12 and the printer section 20 is finished and both sections are ready for scanning, a main CPU 100 discriminates whether or not an area scanned by the reader section 12 is an area setting area and when YES, an area pattern is read. The area information is sent from the reader section 12 to a color conversion processing section and when it is confirmed that the printer section 20 is ready, the main CPU 100 generates a start signal to the reader section 12 and the printer section 20. The picture data are formed while being controlled by area information in a bit map memory during the scanning and the main CPU 100 discriminates the end of scanning of all the areas to terminate the copying.

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 for forming an image by reading an image and stacking at least one band-shaped image having an arbitrary width and height in the height direction. Is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional image forming apparatuses include italic processing as one of image special processing.

Generally, italic processing is performed as shown in FIG. That is, the original image is put in the whole image memory once,
The italic processing can be performed by changing the timing of the main scanning and the sub-scanning at the time of reading from that at the time of writing.

Some image forming apparatuses such as copying machines have a function of designating an area for applying a predetermined editing process only to a predetermined area. For area designation, a rectangular area designation as shown in FIG. 25a and FIG. 4b
There is a non-rectangular area specification such as. The rectangular area can be specified by a relatively simple circuit that uses a counter or the like when scanning, but in the case of non-rectangular area specification, a non-rectangular image is generally read as area information and another bit different from the original image is used. It is developed in the map memory and used as the control information for detecting the image in the designated area in the read image.

[0005]

However, in recent years, image forming apparatuses for handling large-sized images have appeared, and band-shaped images having an arbitrary width and height should be overlapped in the height direction by at least one band. There is one that forms an image.
However, if the conventional italic processing is applied to such a large-sized image, an image memory for the entire one screen is required, so that there is a drawback that the cost and the circuit scale are increased.

Further, conventionally, a non-rectangular area pattern for designating an area having the same size as the original size is drawn corresponding to the position of the original, the original is read, the original is removed, and the same as the original placement position. The area pattern was read by placing the above drawing at the position. Therefore, a bitmap memory for storing the area pattern, which is different from the bitmap memory for storing the original image, is required. Further, there is a problem that the user's area designation operation is complicated.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image by diagonalizing a band-shaped image for one screen with a memory capacity smaller than the image memory for the entire screen. is there.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a method for designating an area of a read image, which makes it easier to create an area pattern relating to the user's area designation and operate the apparatus.

[0009]

In order to achieve such an object, the invention of claim 1 provides an image forming apparatus for forming an image by stacking at least one band of band-shaped images. An image storage unit for renewally storing the image data for one band which is not italicized, a calculation unit for calculating the formation position of the italic image in each band, and a result of the calculation are shown. And a storage control unit that reads out the image data from the image storage unit for image formation in association with the formation position of the italic image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a document and a drawing in which an area pattern showing a designated area shape in a read image is drawn are placed on a document table, and the placed document and the image of the drawing are read. The read image is stored in one bit map memory, and the position on the document to which the area pattern is applied is designated and input.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, the head position is calculated as the image forming position for each band by the calculating means, and then the storage controlling means causes the image storing means to move from the image storing means at the image forming timing of the head position indicated by the calculation result. By sequentially reading the image data, the memory capacity of the image storage means can be set to at least one band of the image data.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the drawing in which the area pattern is drawn together with the original is read almost simultaneously and stored in the bit map memory. After storing in the bitmap memory,
The document image included in the designated area is detected by the pattern image in the bitmap memory as in the conventional case. For this reason,
Only one bitmap memory is required. In order to detect the image included in the area pattern, the operator does not need to place the above drawing in accordance with the placement position of the document, because a specific position on the document for which the area is designated is simply designated and input.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus of this embodiment is an image forming apparatus that forms an image by stacking at least one band of band-shaped images.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an image storage means for storing the image data for one band which is not italicized in an updated manner for each band.

Reference numeral 1100 is a calculation means for calculating the formation position of the italic image in each band.

Reference numeral 1200 is a storage control means for reading out the image data from the image storage means for image formation in correspondence with the formation position of the italic image indicated by the calculation result.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital color copying machine in this embodiment.

The digital color copying machine 10 is mainly composed of two elements.

That is, as a first major element, a color image scanner section (hereinafter abbreviated as "reader section") 12 for reading an original image located above in color and outputting digital color image data. Prepare It should be noted that the reader unit 12 has a built-in controller unit 14 that performs various kinds of image processing of digital color image data and has a processing function such as an interface with an external storage.

As a second major element, the reader unit 1
2, which is located below the controller unit 1 of the reader unit 12.
4 is provided with a printer unit 20 for recording the color digital image signal output from the recording paper on the recording paper.

The reader unit 12 has image information from originals of various shapes and sizes such as three-dimensional or sheet-like or large-sized sheet-like originals placed downward on an original table (not shown) below the original pressing plate 16. It also has a built-in mechanism for reading.

An operating section 18 connected to the controller section 14 is provided on one side of the upper surface of the reader section 12. The operation unit 18 is for inputting various kinds of information as a copying machine, an operating finger, and the like.

Further, the controller unit 14 is the operation unit 1
It is configured to give an operation instruction to the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 in accordance with the information input via 8. Then, when it is necessary to perform a complicated editing process or the like, a digitizer or the like can be attached instead of the document pressing plate 16 and can be connected to the controller unit 14.
This enables more advanced image processing.

On the other hand, in the printer section 20 of this embodiment, a full-color ink jet printer using an ink bubble jet recording type recording head as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54-59936 is used. Is used.

The above-mentioned two major elements are separable from each other, and they are set so that they can be installed at locations separated from each other by extending the connection cable.

The above-mentioned major elements will be described in detail below.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the digital color copying machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the side.

(Reader Unit 12) First, the structure of the reader unit 12 of the copying machine 10 will be described.

In the reader unit 12, the exposure lamp 2
2, a lens 24, and an image sensor 26 (a CCD sensor is used in the present embodiment) capable of reading a line image in full color, an image of an original placed on an original glass 28, a projected image by a projector, or The image of the sheet-shaped document is read by the sheet feeding mechanism 30.

Next, various kinds of image processing on the image information read by the reader unit 12 in this manner are performed by the reader unit 1.
2 and the controller unit 14, and then read,
The image-processed information is sent to the printer unit 20 where it is recorded on recording paper.

(Printer Unit 20) Next, the printer unit 20
In the above, the recording paper has a small standard size (A4 in this embodiment).
Paper feed cassette 3 for storing cut sheets up to 3 sizes)
2 and the roll paper 34 for recording large size (A2 to A1 size in this embodiment) are selectively supplied.

Paper feed is started by a print start instruction from the controller unit 14, and is first conveyed to the position of the first paper feed roller 44 through the following path. In the present embodiment, the manual feed is performed by manually inserting the recording sheets one by one from the manual feed port 36 along the paper feed unit cover 38 (see FIG. 2). ) Is also possible.

In the case of recording paper fed from the paper feed cassette 32 mounted in the printer unit 20, a cut paper from the paper feed cassette 32 is placed on the recording paper set surface of the paper feed cassette 32 and the upper surface of the paper feed end. Pick up to take out one by one
A roller 40 is provided. Therefore, by driving the pick-up roller 40, the paper feed cassette 32
The uppermost recording sheet set in (1) is taken out, sent to the cut sheet feeding roller 42, and further conveyed by the roller 42 to the paper feeding first roller 44.

On the other hand, in the case of the roll paper 34, it is continuously fed by the roll paper feed roller 46, and the cutter 48
Is cut into a standard length by the paper feed first roller 4 described above.
It is transported to 4 positions.

Similarly, when the paper feed is manual feed from the manual feed port 36, the manually fed recording paper is conveyed by the manual feed roller 50 to the paper feed first roller 44.

Here, the pick-up roller 40, the cut paper feed roller 42, the roll paper feed roller 46, the first paper feed roller 44, and the manual feed roller 50 are paper feed motors (not shown) (DC in this embodiment). It is driven by a servo motor), and an electromagnetic clutch attached to each roller can be used for on / off control of the rotation drive at any time.

The recording paper thus selectively fed from any one of the above-mentioned paper feed paths is conveyed to the first paper feed roller 44. In order to remove the skew (skew) of the recording paper, at the time of this paper feeding, after forming a predetermined amount of paper loop on the recording paper, the paper feeding first roller 44 is turned on to rotationally drive, and then the paper feeding is performed. The recording paper is conveyed to the paper second roller 52.

Further, between the paper feed first roller 44 and the paper feed second roller 52, a paper feed roller 64 disposed above the recording head 56 and a paper feed first roller disposed below the recording head 56. In order to perform an accurate paper feeding operation with the two rollers 52, the recording paper is slackened by a predetermined amount to form a buffer.
The buffer amount detection sensor 54 for detecting the buffer amount as the slack amount of the recording paper is provided in this buffer.
Are arranged. As described above, by constantly making the buffer on the recording paper during the paper conveyance, it is possible to reduce the load on the paper feed roller 64 and the second paper feed roller 52 especially when the large-sized recording paper is conveyed. Accurate paper feed operation is possible.

In the printer unit 20 having the recording paper conveyance system as described above, when printing by the recording head 56, the scanning carriage 58 on which the recording head 56 is mounted scans the carriage rail 60. The motor 62 is configured to reciprocate in the front and back directions of the drawing to scan the recording paper in the main scanning direction. Then, in the forward scan, the image is printed on the recording paper by the recording head 56, and in the backward scan, the paper feed roller 64 performs the feeding operation in the sub-scanning direction to feed the recording paper by a predetermined amount.

Here, the feed amount along the sub-scanning direction is
It is defined as a constant movement amount which will be described later, and here, a length corresponding to the width of the recording head 56 along the sub-scanning direction, that is, although not shown, is a surface portion of the platen 74 facing the recording head 56. It is formed across and is set to a length corresponding to the arrangement width of the suction line. This suction line is for bringing the recording paper into close contact with the platen 74.

Further, in the recording paper drive control by the scanning motor 62 during the backward scanning, the buffer amount is detected by the buffer amount detection sensor 54, and the control is always performed so that the predetermined buffer amount is obtained.

Then, the printed recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 66, and the series of printing operations described above is completed.

(Structure of Scanning Carriage System) Next, the structure around the scanning carriage 58 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 68 denotes a paper feed motor as a drive source for intermittently feeding the recording paper in the sub-scanning direction. The paper feed motor 68 can set / change the rotation amount arbitrarily, and is configured to drive the paper feed roller 64 and the paper feed second roller 52 via the paper feed second roller clutch 70. Has been done.

The above-mentioned scanning motor 62 is provided as a drive source for reciprocally scanning the scanning carriage 58 through the scanning belt 72 along the main scanning directions indicated by the arrows A and B.

In this embodiment, pulse motors are used as the paper feed motor 68 and the scanning motor 62 because accurate paper feed control with an arbitrary feed amount is required.

In this embodiment, a paper pressing member (not shown) is arranged at a position facing the lower end of the platen 74, and the paper pressing member fixes the recording paper to the platen 74 during scanning of the scanning carriage 56. By doing so, the movement of the recording paper is controlled so as not to occur.

When the recording paper reaches the second paper feed roller 52, the second paper feed roller clutch 70 and the paper feed motor 68 are turned on, and the leading end of the recording paper is held between the pair of paper feed rollers 64. Until it is conveyed, it is conveyed on the platen 74. Then, the conveyed recording paper is transferred to the platen 7
The paper detection sensor 76 provided on the platen 4
It is detected that the sheet has been conveyed after passing through 4, and the sensor information is used for position control, jam control, and the like.

When the leading edge of the recording paper reaches the paper feed roller 64, the second paper feed roller clutch 70 and the paper feed motor 6
8 is turned off, and then the inner space of the platen 74 is made a negative pressure by starting a suction motor (not shown), and the suction operation is started. By such suction operation, the recording paper is brought into close contact with the platen 74. At this time, the above-mentioned paper pressing member also fixes the recording paper to the platen at the same time.

Here, prior to the image printing operation on the recording paper, the scanning carriage 58 is moved to the position where the home position sensor 78 is arranged, and then the forward scanning is performed in the direction of arrow A. Be seen.

In this forward scan, cyan "C", magenta "M", yellow "Y", and black "K" inks are appropriately ejected from the recording head 56 from a predetermined position to record an image ( Print) is performed. Then, after the image recording operation for a predetermined length along the main scanning direction is completed, the driving direction of the scanning motor 62 is reversed, and the scanning carriage 58 is moved in the reverse direction, that is, in the direction indicated by the arrow B to perform backward scanning. To start. The scanning motor 62 is reversely driven until the scanning carriage 58 returns to the position where the home position sensor 78 is provided.

During this backward scan, the paper feed motor 6
By activating 8 to rotationally drive the paper feed roller 64, the paper feed operation is performed by the length along the sub-scanning direction (the width of the print head 56) recorded by the print head 56 indicated by the arrow C. .. In this embodiment, the paper feed amount, that is, the movement amount in the sub-scanning direction is not limited to the constant movement amount corresponding to the width of the recording head 56 described above, but is defined by the final line width. It may be set to the one-sided movement amount.

In this embodiment, the recording head 56 is made of ink.
It is a jet nozzle, and a total of 256 nozzles are Y,
It is assembled for each color of M, C and K.

On the other hand, when the scanning carriage 58 stops at the home position defined by the home position sensor 78, the recovery operation of the recording head 56 is performed. This recovery operation is a process for performing a stable recording operation, and is a process for preventing unevenness at the start of ejection, which is caused by a change in the viscosity of the ink remaining in the nozzles of the recording head 56. In this process, according to the pre-programmed conditions such as the paper feeding time, the temperature inside the device, and the discharge time,
A pressurizing operation is performed on each nozzle of the recording head 56, and an idle ejection operation of ink is performed from each nozzle.

By repeating the operation described above, desired image recording can be performed over the entire surface of the recording paper.

(System Configuration) Next, the processing and control of the image signal of the control system in the digital color copying machine 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 100 is a main CPU that controls the entire apparatus. The main CPU (central processing unit) 100 includes a printer control CPU 102 that controls the printer control operation and a reader that controls the read control operation. Control CPU 104, main image processing unit 106 for processing image display operation, operation unit 1 as an input unit for an operator
08 is connected.

Here, the printer control CPU 102 and the reader control CPU 104 control the operation of the printer unit 26 and the reader unit 12, respectively.
And are set in the relationship of master and slave.

The main image processing unit 106 described above uses italic processing, edge enhancement smoothing, masking, black extraction,
Image processing such as binarization and trimming is performed. A synchronous memory 110 is connected to the printer control CPU 102 and the main image processing unit 106. This synchronous memory 110
Is for performing suction correction of the time variation of the input operation and delay correction due to the above-mentioned arrangement of the recording heads on the mechanism. The output of the synchronous memory 110 is connected to the recording head 56.

The printer control CPU 102 is connected to a printer unit drive system 114 that controls the input drive of the printer unit. Further, the reader control CPU 104 is connected to an input system image processing unit 116 that performs necessary correction processing in a reading system such as shading correction and color correction γ correction, and a reader unit drive system 118 that controls input driving of the reader. There is.
Further, the CCD line sensor 26 is connected to the input system image processing unit 116, and the input system image processing unit 116 is connected.
Is connected to the main image processing unit 106.

Here, the reader unit 12 is the main CPU 10
0, reader control CPU 104, main image processing unit 10
6, operation unit 108, input system image processing unit 116, reader unit drive system 118, and CCD as an image sensor
And a line sensor 26. The printer unit 20 includes a printer control CPU 102 and a synchronous memory 1
10, recording head 56, and printer drive system 11
4 and.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a description will be given of the configuration of a characteristic part of the present embodiment, of the main image processing unit 106 and the input system image processing unit 116.

In FIG. 6, 121 is an input masking processing unit, 122 is a log conversion processing unit, and both processing units 1
The input system image processing unit 116 is configured by 21, 122.

Reference numeral 120 denotes an italic processing unit for performing italic processing, and 12
4 is an output masking processing unit for performing masking processing, and 12
5 is a γ correction processing unit for performing γ correction, 126 is an edge enhancement processing unit for performing processing such as edge enhancement smoothing, 127 is a binarization processing unit for performing image binarization processing, 134 is C,
This is a black extraction unit that creates a black component (K) from M and Y data.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the main image processing unit 10 has the above configuration.
6 are configured.

The data set for each image processing unit is the main C
It is performed from the PU 100 and the reader unit CPU 104 via the data bus 132.

Next, the details of the italic processing unit 120, which is most relevant to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 200 is an image buffer memory that operates as an image storage means of the present invention, and 201 is a gate circuit for an input image signal to the image buffer memory 200. Reference numeral 203 denotes an enable signal to the gate circuit 201, which is a write clock WC from the clock generation circuit.
K is connected.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a gate circuit for the output image signal, 204 denotes an enable signal for the output image signal, and the WCK and RCK signals to which the read clock RCK of the clock generation circuit 239 is connected will be described in detail later.

Reference numeral 205 denotes a selector for selecting an address signal at the time of writing to the image buffer memory 200 and an address signal at the time of reading, which is selected by the WCK signal at 206.

Reference numerals 207 to 222 denote the image buffer memory 20.
This is a circuit for generating an address signal when 0 is read. These circuits operate as the storage control means of the present invention. First, 207 is a main scanning address counter, which is a down counter, and 210 is an auxiliary scanning address counter, which is an up counter. Some upper bits of the address of the buffer memory 200 are controlled by the main scanning address counter 207, and the rest are controlled by the sub scanning address counter 210.

Reference numerals 209 and 212 denote the timing RAM 219.
Main and sub-scanning address counters 207, 2 generated by
Clock signal for 10. Reference numeral 208 denotes an address reset signal of the main scanning address counter 207, to which an HS signal generated by a timing circuit (not shown) is connected. HS is an H sync, which is a synchronization signal generated for each sub-scan in one band. The initial address held in the address register 213 is set for each HS. The address register 213 itself is also an up-counter and counts up with HS as a clock signal.

Reference numeral 211 is an address reset signal of the sub-scanning address counter 210, to which HS is connected.
When HS occurs, the initial address held in the address register 215 is set. Address register 2
The data output from the CPU 100 is set in 13, 215. The main CPU 100 uses the latch signal 21
A register is selected by 4, 216 and the initial address of each is set.

219 is an address counter 207, 210
It is a timing RAM (random access memory) for generating a clock signal for. The data set for the timing RAM is transferred to the main CPU via the gate 217.
100 do. At this time, the CPU 100 turns on the gate enable signal 218.

The address of the timing RAM 219 is generated by the timing RAM address counter 222 or the address bus of the main CPU 100 via the selector 220. The address bus is selected when the address is set in the timing RAM 219, and the data of the address counter 222 is selected during the actual operation. This switching is performed by the switching signal 21 from the main CPU 100.
Switched by 8. The address counter 222 is driven by the RCK signal generated by the clock generation circuit 239.

Reference numerals 223 to 238 denote the image buffer memory 20.
This is a circuit unit for generating an address at the time of writing to 0, and has a structure similar to that of the address generating unit at the time of reading described above. That is, 223 is a main scanning address counter, 226 is a sub scanning address counter, 224,
An address reset signal 227 is connected to HS. However, the main scanning counter 223 and the sub-scanning address counter 226 are up counters. 229, 23
Reference numeral 1 is an address register, 230 and 232 are register selection signals, 233 is a gate for writing timing RAM data, and 234 is its gate enable signal.

Reference numeral 235 is a timing RAM, 236 is a selector, 237 is its selector signal, and 238 is an address counter of the timing RAM 235. The address counter 238 is a WCK generated by the clock generation unit 239.
Driven by. The clock generator 239 generates the write clock WCK and the read clock RCK.

The period during which the WCK and RCK signals are generated can be arbitrarily set by the CPU 100. Since the present embodiment is applied to a digital color copying machine, this diagonal processing unit processes three colors of C, M, and Y for one pixel, but for simplification, it corresponds to one color. Only the circuit is described, but in reality it will be a form with two more similar circuits.

Next, the italic processing performed by the italic processing unit described above with reference to FIG. 8 will be specifically described. In the present embodiment, the angle of the italic can be set arbitrarily, but in the following, for simplicity, the case of the 45-degree italic will be described as an example.

In FIG. 8, HS is a synchronizing signal generated at the head of one sub-scan. VCK is a video clock, which is a basic signal for image reading, processing, and printing, and one clock corresponds to one pixel. Write clock WCK is VCK
The clock has the same period and the same phase as, and is issued during the image valid period. The read clock RCK is the video clock VC
It has the same period as K, but the phase is delayed by half a clock. It is generated 256 HS after the beginning of a certain band. This is specifically described in FIG.

The main scan write clock MWCK is a clock signal having the same cycle as the synchronizing signal HS, while the sub scan write clock SWCK has the same cycle as the video clock VCK. By the above two write signals to the image buffer memory 200, the image data read as shown in FIG. 10a is written in the image buffer memory 200 in order as shown in FIG.

The main scanning read clock MRCK and the sub-scanning read clock SRCK have the same cycle as RCK. Further, since the main scanning address counter operated by MRCK is a down counter, the image data written as shown in b of FIG. 10 is read from the memory in the order of c of FIG. The manner in which an italic image is formed by this is described with reference to FIG. As indicated by aa in FIG. 11, the image signals are stored in the memory in the order of (0, 1), (0, 2), etc., which corresponds to the order of the image signals actually input. On the other hand, when the image data is read from the image buffer memory 200 by the method described above, (0, 0), (511, 1), (51) as shown in bb of FIG.
The 0th column of the sub-scan is read in the order of 0, 2). Image buffer memory 200 after each band printing
In addition to being cleared, the image is written only up to 256 columns at the time of reading the first column (511, 1), so the portion (510, 2) ... Data is not printed as an image.
The image is read in the order of the first and second columns as follows,
As the image is formed, it becomes an italic image of 45 degrees.

When the writing of the image data is completed up to the 511th column of aa in FIG. 11, the image data is returned to the beginning of the image again and the image data is written from the 0th column. Since the reading of the minute image has already been completed, there is no problem.

Needless to say, an arbitrary italic type can be obtained by changing the period of the MRCK signal. Figure 1
As shown in 2, when one clock MRCK is set for two SRCK clocks, an italic image of 30 degrees is obtained.

Next, the main CPU 10 in this embodiment
0, printer control CPU 102, reader control CPU 10
The details of the copy sequence at the time of setting the italic type executed in No. 4 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when a start key (not shown) in the operation unit 108 is pressed, a copy sequence task program is called from a program memory (not shown),
The main CPU 100 advances the process to step S-1 in FIG.

In step S1, the copy area is set according to the data such as the document size, the main scanning direction scaling ratio, the sub scanning direction scaling ratio, and the paper size set by the operation unit 108. Then, in step S2, the reader control CPU 10
The data necessary for the initial setting is transmitted to No. 4, and the reader unit 12 performs the initial setting. When this initial setting is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S3, data necessary for the initial setting is transmitted to the printer control CPU 102, and the printer unit 20 performs the initial setting.

In the following step S4, the data bus 1 is sent to the data bank of each image processing unit in order to execute each image processing such as edge enhancement, smoothing, masking, and binarization.
Set parameters via 32. Further, the italic processing unit edit processing unit 120 is set with parameters. Further, here, the image memory 200 is cleared before copying. Specifically, 0 data is written in all areas of the memory.

Next, in step S5, the start time of each scan is calculated in order to synchronize the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20. The contents will be described with reference to FIG. 14a is a reader image, and FIG.
Reference character b indicates a print image that has been italicized. In the first line, the reader unit 20 starts reading from the position z in FIG. 14, and the printer unit 20 starts printing from the position x1.
Therefore, the print start position and the read print start time are calculated so that the read and print start times match. The main CPU 100 at the time of calculation operates as the calculation means of the present invention.

After confirming that the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 are ready to scan in the subsequent step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, and the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 are instructed based on the start time calculated in step S5. The start signal is transmitted.

In step S8 after the start of the main scan, the synchronization calculation of the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 in the next scan is performed. That is, in the second line, the reader starts reading from the z position, while the printer unit 2
0 starts printing from the x2 position, so the main CPU
Reference numeral 100 is an arithmetic means of the present invention, and accordingly performs an arithmetic operation for synchronization and an instruction to an address signal generation circuit for reading image data from the image buffer memory 200. Since the print start position can be calculated from the set angle of the slanted line and the print width of one line, x3 in the third line and x4 in the fourth line, the start time is calculated based on this.

In a succeeding step S9, next scanning mode communication for transmitting information necessary for the next scanning is performed to the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20.

When it is confirmed in step S10 that the main scanning scan is completed, the process proceeds to step S11, and it is determined whether or not the entire area scan is completed, that is, the copying is completed. If the determination result is YES, step S14 And the copy sequence ends.

If NO in step S11, the flow advances to step S12 to set image processing parameters for the next line. In the following step S13, sub-scanning of the reader and printer is performed, and then the process returns to step S6.

As described above, italic processing can be performed by the sequence described in this embodiment.

Next, another embodiment according to the first embodiment will be described below.

(1) In the present embodiment, the width of the image memory in the main scanning direction was 512 pixels, but this is the minimum memory capacity required to perform italics at 45 degrees and is required. If the italic angle is smaller than this, the memory capacity can be further reduced.

It is also possible to have a full memory for one band. In this case, the capacity of the memory is increased, but the full memory for one band has an advantage that it can be used for other functions such as image composition as well as italic processing. Further, the area around the address counter of the memory can be simplified as compared with the above example. This example is characterized by having a memory for an arbitrary area in one band, and the memory capacity is not limited to the above example.

(2) In this embodiment, the italic processing unit is installed at the uppermost stage of the main image processing unit, but this position is not limited. For example, it is possible to bring an italic processing unit behind the binarization processing unit and apply italic processing to the binary image data. In this case, the area around the address counter of the image memory is slightly complicated as compared with the circuit configuration of this embodiment, but there is an advantage that the memory capacity can be significantly reduced. It is also conceivable to use the synchronous memory 110 of the printer unit as an image memory for italic processing. In this case, it is not necessary to add a memory for italic processing, which is a great cost advantage.

(3) In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital color copying machine, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a scanner, a printer and an image processing apparatus having similar image forming and processing forms.

<Second Embodiment> The second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, but the main image processing unit 106 performs the following processing. The main image processing unit 106 particularly related to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 16, reference numeral 300 denotes a color conversion processing section for performing color conversion processing and color extraction processing, 301 denotes a black extraction section, and 302.
Is a masking processing unit, 303 is a γ correction unit, and 304 is a binarization processing unit.

Reference numeral 305 is a trimming gate for trimming image data. The color conversion processing unit 300, the masking processing unit 302, and the γ correction unit 303 have two banks of registers for setting data, and the edit signal generation unit 306.
Banks are switched by switching signals 313, 314, and 315 generated by the switch.

For example, in the color conversion processing unit 300, the bank 1 is set in a state in which no processing is performed on the image through data, that is, the image. The bank 2 is set so as to perform some color conversion processing. By switching the bank as described above by the edit signal generation unit 306, color conversion processing can be applied only to a predetermined area.

The edit signal generator 306 generates a switching signal for each image signal processor. The register for setting the switching signal is provided for two banks, and the bank is switched by the output signal from the bit map memory 308. For example, if the output of the bit map memory 308 is "0", bank 1 is selected, and if the output bit is "1", bank 2 is selected.

Reference numeral 308 is a bit map memory for storing area information and original image information, and 309 is a main scanning address control unit for controlling the address of the bit map memory 308 in the main scanning direction. A sub-scanning address control unit 310 controls an address in the sub-scanning direction. Reference numeral 311 is a clock generation unit that generates a clock required for each address control unit, and is associated with the mechanical operation of the reader and printer.

Reference numeral 317 is a flip-flop circuit for writing area information in the bit map memory 308, 307
Is the gate. A color detection signal 318 generated from the color conversion processing unit 300 is connected to the flip-flop 317. A data bus 312 of the CPU is used to set data to each processing unit. Detailed operations of these circuits will be described later.

Next, the main CPU 10 in this embodiment
0, printer control CPU 102, reader control CPU 10
4 shows the details of the copy sequence executed in FIG.
This will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, processing by area designation as shown in FIG. 18 is assumed. That is, the image data read from the shaded area on the read document is subjected to special image processing, specifically, color conversion processing. When making such a copy, the document is placed on the left side of the document table as shown in FIG. On the right side of the document table, a drawing describing a pattern of a non-rectangular area is arranged. The area pattern is drawn in a predetermined color. In addition,
When the area is not designated, it is possible to read the original even in the area where the area pattern is arranged.

First, when a start key (not shown) in the operation unit 108 is pressed, a copy sequence task program is called from a program memory (not shown),
The main CPU 100 advances the process to step S1 in FIG.

In this step S1, the main CPU 10
0 sets a copy area for a document according to data such as the document size, the main scanning direction scaling factor, the sub scanning direction scaling factor, and the paper size set by the operation unit 108.

Similarly, a rough area designation from the operation unit 108, specifically, two points P1 and P2 on the platen of FIG. 19 (corresponding to the position to which the area pattern of the second invention is applied), area pattern Upon receiving designation of two points Q1 and Q2 in the vicinity, the main CPU 100 determines the position where the area is designated and the position of the area pattern, and holds the position data in the internal memory.

At the next step S2, the main CPU 1
00 transmits the data necessary for the initial setting to the reader control CPU 104, and the reader unit 12 performs the initial setting. When this initial setting is completed, the main CPU 100 advances the processing to the next step S3, transmits the data necessary for the initial setting to the printer control CPU 102, and performs the initial setting in the printer unit 20.

When the above processing is completed, the main CPU 1
In step 00, the process proceeds to step S4, and image processing parameters are set. First, data is set in the bank 1 of the edit signal generation unit 306, and all image processing units (300, 30
2, 303) so that bank 1 is selected. Further, the bit "1" is set in the trimming gate 305, and the trimming gate 305 is set in the image effective section. On the other hand, the data is set in the bank 2 of the edit signal generation unit 306 so that only the bank 2 of the color conversion processing unit 300 sets the data. Data is set to other image processing units so as to be in the same state as in bank 1. Therefore, first, data is set only in bank 1 in the masking processing unit 302 and the γ correction unit 303.
In the color conversion processing unit 300, through data is set in bank 1 and data for color conversion processing is set in bank 2.

Next, in step S5, the reader unit 1
2. When initial operations such as shading correction and paper feeding in the printer unit 20 are completed and both are ready for scanning,
The main CPU 100 advances the process to step S6. Here, the main CPU 100 determines whether or not the area to be scanned by the reader unit 12 is the area setting area. If the determination result is NO (negative determination), the means proceeds to step S8, and if the determination result is YES (affirmative determination), the procedure proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the area pattern is read prior to the copy operation. The reader is moved to the position where the area pattern drawing is placed, the image of the designated rough area of the area pattern drawing is read, and the read image is registered in the bitmap memory 308. At this time, the gate 307 is opened so that the area image information can be taken in.

The read area information is first sent from the reader section 12 to the color conversion processing section 300. Color conversion processing unit 30
0 has a color detection circuit, and when it detects that there is image information indicating a predetermined color in the input image information, the detection signal 318 is turned on. When the detection signal 318 is turned on, the rising edge is detected by the F / F317.
Detects and switches the output level from "0" to "1". This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 20 shows how an area pattern is detected on a certain line.

In one line as shown in FIG. 20A, the image is read by scanning the CCD in the sub-scanning direction, then moving one pixel in the main scanning direction, and performing the CCD scan to read the image of a predetermined width. For example, in the sub-scanning line at the position indicated by x0 in the figure, the color detection signal is generated at the position of x1. As a result, the output level of the F / F 317 changes from "0" to "1". When the area pattern is detected again at the position of x2 and the ON color detection signal 318 is generated, the F / F31
The output level of 7 drops from "1" to "0". As a result, bit "0" is written in the bitmap memory area corresponding to x0 to x1 and x2 to x3 outside the area, and bit "1" is written in the section from x1 to x2 inside the area.

The F / F 317 is cleared by the clear signal 319 every CCD scan. In this way, the area pattern is written in the bitmap memory 308. After such an operation, the reader is returned to the document image position by the instruction of the main CPU 100, and the gate 307 is closed.

After confirming that the printer section 20 is ready in the next step S8, the main CPU 100 proceeds to step S9 to generate a start signal to the reader section 12 and the printer section 20. During scanning, the image information for recording is formed under the control of the area information written in the bitmap memory 308. Main CPU 10
In step 0, after confirming that the main scanning scan is completed in step S10, the process proceeds to step S11. Here, it is determined whether or not the scan of all areas is completed, and the determination result is YES.
If so, the copy sequence is terminated, and if the determination result is NO, the sub-scan feed control of the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 is performed in step S12, and then the process returns to step S5.

The non-rectangular area designation can be realized by the above sequence.

The following is another example of the second embodiment.

(1) In the above-described second embodiment, the area pattern is read in the same size image, but a small area pattern may be magnified and read and used as an actual area pattern as shown in FIG. 21, for example. In such a case, the area pattern can be made smaller, so that it can be applied to a larger document. It is also possible to apply a function such as a mirror image or an italic to the area patterns of FIGS. 22 and 23 and use the resulting pattern as an area designating pattern. Since these can be performed by using a function such as a mirror image or an italic image that is performed on an actual image, the cost is not particularly increased due to the area designation. As described above, in the present invention, the area pattern is not limited to the same size, and the area pattern itself may be used with some function such as a mirror image.

(2) In the above-described second embodiment, the area pattern is placed on the original table, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the digital color copying machine has an interface (I / F) as shown in FIG. 24,
It is also possible to prepare an area pattern by an external post computer to specify a non-rectangular area. In this case, step S7 in FIG. 17 is changed to an external pattern reading operation.

This can be realized by the host computer sending the area pattern for each line. Further, although the present invention is applied to the digital color copying machine in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention can also be applied to a scanner and a printer having similar image processing forms.

(3) In the present embodiment, the placement position of this drawing is designated and input so that the area pattern drawing can be placed at any position of the unused area on the document table. If the reading area of the area pattern drawing is fixed, this instruction is unnecessary.

[0128]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, an image forming an image by stacking at least one band-shaped image having an arbitrary width and height in the height direction. In the forming apparatus, since italic processing can be performed without providing a memory for the entire image to be formed, it is possible to contribute to a reduction in the manufacturing cost of the apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the non-rectangular area can be designated with one bit map memory for the original image, it is possible to contribute to the reduction of the manufacturing cost and the downsizing of the apparatus. Further, since it is not necessary to place the area pattern drawing on the same position as the document placing position, the placing operation by the user is simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure around the scanning carriage of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the present embodiment.

6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a characteristic part in a main image processing unit 106 and an input system image processing unit 116 in FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an italic processing unit 120 in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the signal generation timing of this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a read image and a signal generation timing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing order of image data according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing order of image data according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a signal MRCK and an oblique image according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the main CPU 100 of this embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an image reading order and a printing order according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for creating an italic image.

FIG. 16 is a main image processing unit 106 according to the second embodiment.
3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a copy sequence of the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a designated area according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a designated area according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a designated area according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the image processing content of another area pattern.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing image processing contents of another area pattern.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing the image processing content of another area pattern.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of another embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional area specifying method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 reader unit 20 printer unit 100 main CPU 200 image buffer memory

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location G09G 5/00 A 8121-5G

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image by stacking at least one band of band-shaped images, wherein the one band of non-italicized image data is updated and stored for each band. Image storage means for calculating the formation position of the italic image in each band, and the image data from the image storage means corresponding to the formation position of the italic image indicated by the calculation result. An image forming apparatus comprising: a storage control unit for reading out for the purpose of. 2. A document and a drawing in which an area pattern showing a designated area shape in a read image is drawn are placed on a document table, and the image of the placed document and the drawing is read and read. An area designation method for a read image, characterized in that an image is stored in one bitmap memory and a position on a document to which the area pattern is applied is designated and input.