JPH0564506B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that can control the arrangement of divided regions of image information to be generated based on a document based on at least the direction of the document.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in image processing apparatuses such as copying machines, there has been no concept of recognizing the orientation of a document when it is desired to divide the image of the document into a plurality of parts and output them. Furthermore,
There was also no concept of performing scaling processing on the image information corresponding to the plurality of divided regions and of visualizing and outputting the plurality of divided regions on separate sheets of paper.

[Objective] In view of the above drawbacks, the present invention controls the arrangement of divided regions of image information to be generated based on a document based on at least the direction of the document, and creates an image corresponding to a plurality of divided regions to be subjected to scaling processing. The object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device that can visually output each piece of information onto a separate sheet of paper.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1-1 shows the external appearance of a copying apparatus according to the present invention. This device basically consists of two units. They are reader A and printer B. The reader and printer are mechanically and functionally separated so that they can be used independently. Connections are made only by electrical cables. Reader B is equipped with an operation section A-1. Details will be described later.

FIGS. 1-2 show structural cross-sectional views of reader A and printer B. The document is placed face down on the document glass 3, and its placement reference is on the back left side when viewed from the front.
The original is pressed onto the original glass by the original cover 4. The document is illuminated by a fluorescent lamp 2, and an optical path is formed such that the reflected light is focused onto the surface of the CCD 1 via mirrors 5, 7 and a lens 6. The mirror 7 and the mirror 5 are designed to move at a relative speed of 2:1.
This optical unit is powered by a DC servo motor.
Move from left to right at a constant speed while applying PLL. This moving speed is the forward path of irradiating the original.
180mm/sec, and the return journey is 468mm/sec.
The resolution in this sub-scanning direction is 16 lines/mm.
The document sizes that can be processed range from A5 to A3, and the document placement direction is A5, B5, and A4 in portrait orientation;
A3 is placed horizontally. The return of the optical unit depending on the document size is performed using the reader's signal VIDEO.
ENABLE is counted from the tip sensor (described later) and executed when the counted value corresponds to the original size.

Next, regarding the main scanning direction, the main scanning width is the maximum horizontal width of A4 paper, 297 mm, depending on the orientation in which the document is placed. And in order to resolve this at 16pel/mm,
Since 4752 (=297 x 16) bits are required for the CCD, this device uses a 2688-bit CCD.
Two array sensors were used and driven in parallel. Therefore, from the conditions of 16 lines/min and 180 mm/sec, the main scanning period (=CCD storage time is T=1/vn=1/180×16=347.2 μsec.The CCD transfer rate is f=N/T =2628/347.2μsec=7.7419NHz.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1-2, an overview of the printer placed under the reader will be described. The image signal processed by the reader section and converted into bit serial is input to the laser scanning optical system unit 25 of the printer. This unit consists of a semiconductor laser, a collimator lens, a rotating polygon mirror, an Fθ lens, and a tilt correction optical system. The image signal from the reader is applied to a semiconductor laser and undergoes electrical-to-optical conversion, and the diverging laser light is converted into parallel light by a collimator lens, which is then irradiated onto a polyhedral mirror rotating at high speed.
The laser beam is thereby scanned onto the photoreceptor 8. The rotation speed of this polyhedral mirror is 2600 rpm. The scanning width is approximately 400mm, and the effective image width is 297mm in A4 landscape format. Therefore, the signal frequency applied to the semiconductor laser at this time is approximately 20 MHz.
(NRz). The laser beam from this unit is incident on the photoreceptor 8 via the mirror 24.

The photoreceptor 8 is composed of three layers, for example, a conductive layer, a photosensitive layer, and an insulating layer. Therefore, process components are arranged thereto which make it possible to form an image. 9 is a front static eliminator, 10 is a front static eliminator, 11
1 is a primary charger, 12 is a secondary charger, 13 is a front exposure lamp, 14 is a developer, 15 is a paper feed cassette,
14 is a paper feed roller, 17 is a paper feed guide, 18 is a registration roller, 19 is a transfer charger, 20 is a separation roller, 21 is a conveyance guide, 22 is a fixing device, and 23 is a tray. The speed of the photoreceptor 8 and the conveyance system is 180 mm/sec, which is the same as the forward path of the reader. Therefore, the speed of copying using a combination of reader and printer is 30 A4 sheets/minute. Further, printers use a separating belt on the front side to separate the copy paper that is in close contact with the photosensitive drum, but because of this, an image corresponding to the width of the belt is missing. If a signal is placed over that width, it will be developed, and the toner will stain the belt and stain subsequent sheets of paper. The belt width of 8 mm is designed to cut off the video electrical signal for print output. Also, if toner adheres to the leading edge of the copy paper, it may become fused when it is fixed.
It may wrap around the fixing roller and cause a jam.
Similarly, the electrical signal is cut off on the reader side to prevent toner from adhering to the 2mm width at the leading edge of the paper. Then the second
Figures -1 and 2-2 show the main scanning direction of the reader and printer and the output images. The reader runs from the back side to the front side, and the printer runs from the front side to the back side.

The copying machine in this example has intelligence such as image editing, but this intelligence is done on the reader side by processing the signals read by the CCD, and in any case, the information is not processed at the stage of output from the reader. Also, a signal with a constant speed is output with a constant number of bits (4752). The intelligence functions include the ability to enlarge/reduce images to any magnification within the range of 0.5 to 2.0 times, a specific magnification, a cropping function that extracts only a specified area, and a cropped image that can be placed anywhere on the copy paper. There are functions such as a movement function to move the document to the document table, a function to recognize the document placed on the document table, etc. Furthermore, it has a composite function that combines these individual intelligent functions.
FIG. 3 shows specific examples of these.

(a) shows the editing function, (1) shows the front surface of the document, (2) shows the state when the copy is completed when only the trimming coordinates are specified, and (3) shows the trimming coordinates specification +
When specifying movement coordinates (however, an error message will be displayed if the size exceeds the copy paper size), (4) is trimming coordinate specification + movement coordinate specification + arbitrary magnification (however,
If the copy paper size is exceeded, an error message will be displayed), (5) is trimming coordinate specification + moving coordinate specification + arbitrary scaling reduction, (6) is trimming coordinate specification + AUTO specification (0.5→ (7) shows the state when copying is completed when trimming coordinates are specified + AUTO is specified. Note that the trimming coordinates to be shifted to the movement coordinates are determined based on the coordinate point having the smallest value in the sub-scanning direction.

(b) shows the relationship between the CCD and the laser main scanning direction, and (c) shows the method for specifying trimming coordinates.

If it is a single workpiece surrounded by a straight line, the order of designation is as follows. This coordinate designation is performed using the numeric keypad 108 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the operating section A-1 in FIG. 1. This operation section is divided into three main blocks. The block on the right is a general-purpose key display section 100 found in conventional copying machines. The central block is a function key/display section 300 for calling up and using a copy/transmission function that the user has created and registered as desired through a program. The block on the left is a soft key display section 200 for the user to arbitrarily create copying and transmitting functions. First, the general-purpose key display section 100 will be explained. 103
is a 7-segment LED display for displaying the desired number of copies set and the number of copies in progress. 1
02 is a warning display used in conventional copying machines such as jam, out of toner, out of paper, copy interruption, etc. Reference numeral 104 denotes a copy density switching lever and the density display obtained thereby. Reference numeral 105 is a selection display device for selecting whether the original image is only text, only photos, a mixture of text and photos, or section paper. These are provided to perform different image processing so that four types of original images can be copied in an optimized form. 106 indicates whether the selected cassette stage is the upper stage or the lower stage. Reference numeral 107 is a display device for displaying the paper size stored in the cassette of the selected cassette stage. 108 is a group of numeric keys 0 to 9 and C for setting the number of sheets on the display 103 and for entering numerical values in the program creation process on the soft key display section 200 (for example, trimming coordinates, movement coordinates, zooming). used for magnification, destination address specification, etc.). 109 entry keys are provided as confirmation keys for the latter 200 key entries. Reference numeral 110 denotes an interrupt key for interrupting multi-copy and performing another multi-copy, 111 is a copy cancel key for canceling multi-copy by the printer, and 101 is a copy key for instructing the printer to start printing. 113 is a document image switching key 105, and 112 is a cassette stage switching key. The selections 113 and 112 are shifted from top to bottom every time a key is turned on. This part of the function key display section 300 has a structurally removable cover. The reason is that, as mentioned above, one of the functions you created on the soft key display area is registered and corresponds to one key 302, so you can give the function you created some name and put it on key 302. It is necessary to write it down. Therefore, after registering the function, remove this cover and write the name on one of the registered keys 302.
When you put the cover back on, it will behave as if it were stuck. As described above, since six function keys 302 are prepared, the user can register six complex functions. When the user creates a function on the soft key display section 200, a message appears asking whether or not to register it on the soft key display section 202.
If the soft key 201 is used in response, all six indicators on the display 303 corresponding to the six keys on the function display section 300 will blink.
This means that the machine is asking the operator, "Which function key would you like to register the above function to?" Therefore, if the operator presses any key at this time, the display corresponding to that key will turn on, and the other displays will turn off. The operator then removes the cover, writes the function name on the key, and puts the cover back on.The contents registered hereafter are backed up to the memory, so they will not be erased even if the power switch is turned off. It's summery. Key 301 is a standard mode return key.

The reader unit will be explained in detail. FIG. 5 shows a system block diagram of the reader unit. The interface signals with this reader are shown on the right. When connecting to a printer, connect connector JR1 to connector JP1 on the printer side. The timing of the JR1 interface signal is shown in Figures 6 and 7. The BEAM DETECT signal BD is used to synchronize the rotation of the scanner when a printer is connected, and corresponds to the tip signal of each line. VIDEC
are image signals, each with one pixel per line.
4752 pieces are output in 55ns width. However, one pixel has up to three values, that is, 0, 1/2, and 1, so 0 is 55ne width L, and 1/2 is the first half.
27.5ns is high, the latter 27.5ns is low, and at 1, the 55ns width is high.

This signal is used if a printer is connected.
It is output in synchronization with the BEAM.DETECT signal, and in other cases (transmission to others, etc.), it is output in synchronization with an internal pseudo signal. VIDEO ENABLE is a signal for a period during which 4752 bits of the image data are output. This is also output in synchronization with BEAM DETECT or an internal pseudo signal. VSYNC is the output of the image tip detection sensor 37b in Figure 8 and BEAM
It is a signal that is output in synchronization with DETECT or an internal pseudo signal, and means that image data will be output from now on. Signal width is VIDEO
Same as ENABLE. The PRINT START signal is a paper feed command to the printer side. This PRINT
The time interval between START and VSYNC is determined by the control circuit (FIGS. 9 and 11) in consideration of the variable magnification and the trimming area. PRINT END is a response signal from the printing side, which is issued when the trailing edge of the copy paper leaves the photosensitive drum and lands on the conveyor belt, indicating that the printing operation has ended. This detects the completion of copy paper separation and is issued according to sequence timing. PRINTER
The CONNECT signal is output when the PRINTER is connected, and this terminal is connected to GND on the printer side.
It is connected to. This causes the printer to be activated for printing.

S.DATA, S.CLK, CSC BUSY,
PSCBUSY is a protocol between the reader and the printer (allowing transmission between the two, exchanging information such as signals)
This is a serial signal line for

S.DATA and S.CLK are 16-bit protocol data and clock, and both are bidirectional lines. CSC BUSY is output when the reader side outputs data and clock to the above line,
PSC BUSY is output when the printer side outputs data and clock to the above line. Therefore,
These lines indicate the transmission direction of S.DATA and S.CLK. The timing of details is the 7th
Please refer to the figure.

Returning to FIG. 5 again, the system block of the reader will be explained. CCD reading section 501, 50
1' has a built-in CCD, a clock driver for the CCD, a signal amplifier from the CCD, and an A/D converter for A/D converting the signal. Control signals for the CCD are generated by CCD control signal generators 503 and 503' and supplied to CCD reading units 501 and 501' clock drivers. This control signal is generated in synchronization with the horizontal synchronization signal BD from the printer.
Image data converted into 6-bit digital signals is output from the CCD reading sections 501, 501' and input to the image processing sections 502, 502'. The image processing units 502 and 502' include a sampling circuit for sampling the CCD output and controlling the light intensity of the light source by the CPU, a circuit for detecting the amount of shading of the light source and lens, and a correction circuit for the same, and a main circuit for performing the AE function. A peak hold circuit detects the peak value of the light amount during scanning, and the 6-bit image data after the shading correction is completed, determines the slice level based on the peak hold value or dither pattern of the previous line or the war line, and binarizes or It has a quantization circuit for ternarization. Image processing section 50
The image signal quantized at 2,502' is input to an image editing section 504, 504'. The image editing sections 504, 504' have buffer memories for two lines. The capacity for one line is more than twice the number of pixels per line, 4752. The reason for this is that when enlarging by 200%, each pixel data is written into the memory using twice as many sampling plates, so the amount of data doubles. Also, the buffer memory for 2 lines is used because the memory cannot perform writing and reading at the same time, so when the Nth line of image data is being written to the first memory, the N-1th line from the second memory is written. This is to read out the image. In addition, this part includes a write address counter for writing image data into this buffer memory, a read address counter for reading image data, and an address selector circuit for switching address signals from these two counters. The counter uses a parallel load type in which the initial value can be preset, and the initial value is loaded by the CPU to the I/O port. The CPU presets the counter with an address value corresponding to the main scanning coordinates each time the sub-scanning reaches a line corresponding to the trimming coordinates according to the coordinate information instructed by the operation unit, thereby making it possible to edit the document information. . There are coordinate area control counters and gate circuits to enable white masking, black masking, white frame trimming, and black frame trimming. CCD
There is a seam detection shift register for automatic splicing. The image data from the image editing department is first 5
04 and then output from 504', the synthesizing unit 505 smoothly switches them to form one serial image data. The recognition unit 506 is for performing pre-scanning of the document during the idle rotation period of the printer after turning on the copy button, and detecting the coordinates where the document is placed at that time. This part includes a shift register for detecting 8 bits of continuous white image data, an I/O port, and main/sub-scanning counters. The operation unit 507 includes a key matrix, an LED, a liquid crystal, and a liquid crystal driver. 50
8 is a DC motor for scanning the optical system, and 509 is its driving circuit. 510 is a fluorescent lamp for illuminating the document, and 511 is its lighting circuit. 512 is a photosensor that detects that the optical system unit is at the home position, and 513 is a photosensor that detects that the optical system unit is at the position where the leading edge of the document is irradiated. The CPU section 514 includes a CPU, ROM,
It consists of RAM, battery backup circuit, timer circuit, and I/O interface.
The CPU section 514 controls the operation section 507, performs sequence control of the reader according to operation commands from the operator, and at the same time controls the printer using commands. In addition, according to commands related to image processing from the operation section 507, data is set for various counters in the image processing sections 502, 502' and the image editing sections 504, 504' prior to and during scanning of the document. Furthermore, prior to scanning the document, the CPU controls the light amount of the fluorescent lamp lighting device 511 based on the light amount data from the image processing unit, and controls the light amount of the fluorescent lamp lighting device 509 according to the magnification command.
It presets speed data for the DC motor drive circuit, collects image stitching data from the image editing sections 504 and 504', and calculates the stitching amount.

Sequence control will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 6. As shown in FIG. 8, the reader has three position sensors 37a to 37c on its scanning optical system. The optical system home position sensor (outputs the signal OHP) is located on the far left side when viewed from the front of the reader, and the optical system is normally stopped at this position. When the reader is driven, the optical system starts scanning from left to right, and the image leading edge sensor 37b is provided exactly at the reference position of the image. The control circuit is this sensor 3
When 7b is detected, the image data signal (VIDEO,
CLK) and outputs the data valid period (VIDEO
ENABLE) signal. Then, the control circuit starts counting the number of VIDEO ENABLE signals from the sensor 37b, and when the count value α corresponding to the point corresponding to the cassette size or variable magnification of the printer is reached, the optical system forward drive signal is turned off. Switch to reverse drive signal and invert. A PRINT START sensor 37c is installed in the middle of the return trip, and when the optical system activates this sensor after reversing, the control circuit judges whether or not the specified number of copies has been scanned, and if it does not match the specified number of copies, the printer Generates a PRINT START signal to give the next paper feed instruction. Note that it is necessary to adjust the position of the sensor 37c so that _T2 in FIG. 9 becomes equal to _T1 .

/ (variable magnification) Next, see Part 9 about how to enlarge/reduce the original image.
The explanation is based on the diagram. The basic idea behind variable magnification is
In the sub-scanning direction, the speed of the DC servo motor 37d is made variable. The CPU calculates the speed based on the keyed-in magnification and then responds to that speed.
The PLL frequency is calculated and preset in the I/O latch 1, 58 before scanning. On the return trip, a fixed value is set, which returns the optical system at high speed; this is done by presetting this I/O latch 1 with the value stored in the CPU's ROM. Therefore, when enlarging the image twice, it moves at half the speed of normal magnification (180 mm/sec), and when reducing it by half, it moves at twice the speed. Main scanning is a method of sampling a CCD serial signal (after A/D conversion) output at a constant frequency at a clock rate that corresponds to the magnification. For example, when enlarging by 2 times, sampling at twice the CCD clock rate will yield data with an increase of 1 bit per 1 bit of source information, and when reducing by 1/2, sampling will be performed at a clock rate twice the CCD clock rate. /
Source information 2 if sampled with 2 clock crates
Data that is thinned out by one bit can now be obtained. The CPU calculates this clock rate based on the input magnification and sets it in the I/O latches 2 and 50 before starting sub-scanning. As mentioned above, the CCD has a 2628-bit configuration, but there are 36 dummy pits and 2592 effective pits.
It's called Pituto. Its driving frequency is 7.569 NHZ, and its signal line is the _φ1 clock line 55. The clock for changing the magnification is
Based on the same source oscillation as φ ₁ and the value of I/O latch 2
The frequency oscillated by the VCO 9 is synchronized with the PLL 48 to form a variable frequency as φ ₂ . CCD
The 2592-bit analog signal output from
AGC (automatic gain control circuit) amplified by AMP42
Can be applied to. The AGC 43 detects the white level because the white level changes depending on long-term changes in the light intensity of the fluorescent lamp, the background of the document, etc., and converts the white level so that the relative change amount is applied to the A/D converter 44. This is a circuit that clamps the level. and
The output of the AGC is converted into 6-bit parallel bits which are binary values that are A/D converted. On the other hand, the dither ROM 54 has an 8-bit interval in the main scanning direction.
The same weighting code (6
32 types of weight codes are allocated within this 8×8=64 bit matrix. Therefore, different weight codes are output by addressing this dither ROM 54 using a 3-bit main scanning counter 51 and a 3-bit sub-scanning counter 52. Furthermore, there are a plurality of combinations of weight codes set in this 8×8, and consideration is given to changing the reproducibility of the halftone image depending on the combination. Selection of this combination is performed by I/O latches 3 and 53, and presetting of these latches is performed by the CPU before starting the sub-scanning. The main scanning counter 51 is driven by a φ ₂ clock whose frequency is variable depending on the magnification, and the sub-scanning counter 52 is driven by the BEAM DETECT signal. The 6-bit weight code from the dither ROM 54 and the A/D converted 6-bit code are compared by a comparator 47 to obtain a binarized image signal that can reproduce a serial halftone. .

Next is circuit No. 45, but since the conversion time by A/D conversion differs depending on each bit, φ ₁
It is latched and synchronized. Also, as a matter of course, the address counters of the shift memories 57-1 and 57-2 are operated by the _φ2 clock. As a result of the above, the shift memories 57-1 and 57-2 can hold 2592 bits at the same time, 1296 bits at the 1/2 time, and 5184 bits at the double time.

The speed of the sub-scanning DC motor 37d is determined by I/O to the CPU.
The value preset in O latch 1, 58 is the VCO
59, the resulting oscillation frequency is synchronized with the source oscillation and the PLL 60, and is applied to the servo circuit 61, thereby being controlled.

FIG. 11 shows a circuit diagram related to the shift memory. Shift memory 1 is a static memory into which CCDI image data is stored. Shift memory 2 is a static memory into which CCD2-based image data is stored. The write address counter 63 is an address counter used when writing data to shift memories 1 and 2. Read address counter 1 is an address counter when reading data from shift memory 1, and read address counter 2 is an address counter when reading from shift memory 2. Address selector 1 selects either the address signal of write address counter 63 or the address signal of read address counter 1 and shifts.
This is for addressing memory 1, and address selector 2 is for writing address.
This is for addressing the shift memory 2 by selecting either the address signal of the counter 63 or the address signal of the read address counter 2. The shift register 74 is a register for taking out the image data of the CCD1 system starting from the lowest 8 bits at a time, and the shift register 76
This is a register for extracting image data in units of 8 bits from the most significant part of the CCD2 system. F/F73 is
This F/F is set at the rising edge of the VIEO ENABLE signal and reset at the ripple carry of the write address counter 63, and is used to control the period of input to the shift register 74.
75 is set at the rise of VIDEO ENABLE,
This F/F is reset by a ripple/carry of the read address counter 2, and is used to control the period of input to the shift register 76. I/
O port 72 is write address counter 63
This is an I/O for the CPU to read and check how far it has counted when it is run with an up count. The I/O registers 66 to 69 are a write address counter 63 and a read address counter 6.
These registers are used by the CPU to give preset values to 4 and 65, respectively. The I/O register 68 is used by the CPU to specify up-count or down-count for the write address counter 63 and read address counter 65, and for selecting which counter value for the address selectors 70 and 71. one for the CPU to specify, one for deciding whether to move read address counter 2 with the write clock or read clock, and one for specifying one line by giving a test signal when splicing. This is for the CPU to control so that image data is provided from the CCD driver circuit to the shift memory circuit.

FIG. 10 illustrates an image editing method of changing the magnification of a trimmed image to an arbitrary magnification based on an arbitrary point. Figure A is a document surface, Figure B is an enlarged view, and Figure C is a shift diagram. The basic method of image editing is to calculate post-edit coordinate values based on the coordinate values of the trimming area, the movement coordinate values, and the magnification (Figures A to C). The CPU determines the minimum (based on document placement standards) of the coordinate values in the main scanning direction (x) and the coordinate values in the sub-scanning direction (y) from the coordinate values of the trimming area, and sets them as x ₀ and y ₀ . . Coordinates are entered using keys in mm units, so 16 lines/mm
Therefore, the line coordinate L ₀ of the y ₀ coordinate is (y ₀ ×16). Also, the information amount I ₀ of the x ₀ coordinate is (x ₀ ×16).
(Figure A), and the CPU determines the minimum values in the x and y directions from the edited area coordinate values and sets them as x ₁ and y ₁ (Figure C). Based on x ₀ , the magnification, and x ₁ , determine the preset value of the read start address in the read address counter read from the shift memory (calculation of address A3 in Figure C). This point is 10th
This will be explained in detail with reference to Figure-1. This is shift memory 2
There are (4752 x 2) bits for double magnification.
When simply enlarged, the amount of information in the memory I ₁ is (x ₀ × magnification ×
16) Become a bit. Further, the address A ₁ of the shift memory corresponding to the magnification of the x ₀ coordinate becomes (A ₁ −I ₁ ).
Note that _A1 is the start address of the memory and is stored in the RAM during CCD connection correction. By the way, the number of lines L ₂ according to the magnification of the y ₀ coordinate is (L ₀ × magnification). Next, in order to output this enlarged image to x ₁ from the shift point, the read start address A ₃ of the shift memory is determined, which is A ₂ +I ₂ . Note that I ₂ is the shift coordinate x ₁
The amount of information corresponds to (x ₁ × 16). by the way
The number of lines L ₁ of the y ₁ coordinate is y ₁ ×16.

Next, based on y ₀ , magnification and y ₁ as described above
Determine the time interval from the generation of the PRINTSTART (paper feed) signal until the start of the optical system or until the generation of VSYNK (calculation of L ₃ ). That is, L ₁ −L ₂ corresponds to it. When this difference is +L ₂ , the START signal or
Based on the VSYNK signal, output L ₃ × main scanning cycle (347.2 μS) earlier. Also - START when L ₃
signal or VSYNK signal later than above. To gate only part of the image data in the main scanning direction in order to output the image only to the editing area.
START BIT COUNTER and END BIT
Establish a COUNTER. This is 80 in Figure 11,
81 respectively. This presets the count data for the gate via I/O. Flip-flop 82 is set by counting up counter 80 and reset by 81. 10th
-The operation is shown in figure G. The number of lines between the change points in the sub-scanning direction is calculated from the coordinate values and magnification of the trimming area (Figures D, E, and F). This is a CPU
This is done by counting VIDEO ENABLE. In the figure, M is the number of lines between changing points in the sub-scanning direction, H is the number of bits in the main scanning direction, and N is the number of lines between changing points in the sub-scanning direction when changing magnification (N=M x magnification).
It is.

START BIT COUNTER and END BIT at the point of change from the x-direction coordinate value after editing
Calculate the preset value of COUNTER, and
Set as shown in figure H.

In addition, even when outputting the entire image without cropping, this START BIT COUNTER
and END BIT COUNTER are used to create a margin that separates from the tip margin. Initialization is the same as above, but after counting the tip margin of 2 mm x 16 lines = 36 lines, start START to avoid the width of the separation belt.
Set BIT COUNTER to 7.5mm x 16 bits = 120 bits.

FIG. 12-1 shows a state in which a document is placed on the document table glass 3 of the reader A. Basically, the placement position is fixed as described above, but it can also be placed diagonally as shown in the figure. In this case, the reference coordinates on the document table 3
The coordinates of the four points from SP are (X ₁ , Y ₁ ), (X ₂ , Y ₂ ), (X ₃ ,
Y ₃ ), (X ₄ , Y ₄ ) are detected by pre-scanning the optical system during the pre-rotation period of the printer. This allows the size and position of the document to be determined. This makes it possible to determine the scanning stroke during multi-copying and to select a desired cassette. The document cover 4 (FIGS. 1-2) is mirror-finished so that image data outside the area where the document is placed is always black data. The pre-scanning includes main scanning and sub-scanning to cover the entire glass surface, followed by scanning for printing. This sub-scanning speed is faster than that during printing.

The circuit diagram in FIG. 12-2 shows the logic for detecting the coordinates. Image data binarized by pre-scanning
VIDEO is input to shift register 301 in 8-bit units. When the 8-bit input is completed, the gate circuit 302 checks whether all of the 8-bit data is a white image, and if yes, outputs 1 to the signal line 3. After starting scanning the original, the F/F 304 is set when the first 8-bit white appears. This F/F is reset in advance by VSYNC (image leading edge signal). After that, the next VSYNC
Leave it set until . When the F/F 304 is set, the value of the main scanning counter 351 (main scanning counter 51 in FIG. 9 or a dedicated counter) at that time is loaded into the latch F/F 305. This becomes the X coordinate value. The latch 306 is also loaded with the value of the sub-scanning counter 350 (sub-scanning counter 52 in FIG. 9 or a dedicated counter) at that time. This becomes the Y ₁ coordinate value. Therefore, P ₁ (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) can be found.

Also, each time 1 is output to the signal 303, the value from the main scanning is loaded into the latch 307. This value is immediately stored in clutch 308 (until the next 8 bits enter shift register 301).The value from the main scan when the first 8 bits of white appear is stored in latch 308.
8, the latch 310 (which is
The comparator 309 compares the data with the data (which is set to "0" at the time of VSYNC). If the data in latch 308 is greater, the data in latch 308, that is, the data in latch 307, is greater than the data in latch 308.
10. Also, at this time, the value of the sub-scanning counter is loaded into the latch 311. This operation is processed until the next 8 bits enter shift register 301. Like this, latch 308 and latch 3
If data No. 10 is applied to the entire image area, the maximum value in the document area X direction remains in the latch 310.
The coordinates in the Y direction at this time remain in the latch 311. This is the P ₂ (X ₂ , Y ₂ ) coordinate.

The F/F 312 is an F/F that is set when 8-bit white appears for the first time in each main scanning line, and is reset by the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC, set at the first 8-bit white, and held until the next HSYNC. When the F/F 312 is set, the value of the main scanning counter is set in the latch 313, and is loaded into the latch 314 until the next HSYNC. Sote latch 3
15 and a comparator 316 for magnitude comparison. The latch 315 has the maximum value in the X direction at the time of VSYNC occurrence.
The value is preset. If the data in latch 315 is greater than the data in latch 314, signal 317 becomes active and latch 314
That is, the data in latch 313 is loaded into latch 315. This operation is performed between HSYNC and HSYNC. If the above comparison operation is performed for the entire image area, the minimum value of the document coordinates in the X direction remains in the latch 315. This is _X3 .
Also, when signal line 317 outputs, the value from sub-scan is loaded into latch 318. This is _Y3
become.

The latches 319 and 320 are 8
Each time a bit white appears, the value of the main scanning counter and the value of the sub-scanning counter at that time are loaded. Therefore, when the document pre-scanning is completed, the count value at the time when 8-bit white appears last remains on the counter. This is (X ₄ , Y ₄ ).

The above eight latches 6, 11, 20, 18,
Data lines 5, 10, 15, and 19 are connected to the CPU bus line BUS, and the CPU reads this data at the end of the previous scan. Of these data, the areas X ₂ , X ₃ , Y ₁ , and Y ₄ are determined as document areas, and the above-described trimming process is performed when scanning the document for printing. In other words, the coordinates of the rectangle surrounding the dotted line document positions _P1 to _P4 can be recognized by the coordinate components _X2 , _X3 , _Y1 , and _Y4 of the document, and therefore, at least a sheet of the corresponding size is required. It turns out that it is.

On the printer side, paper feeding control of the registration roller 18 is performed so that the leading edge of the paper and the coordinate _Y1 are synchronized. In the standard mode, the registration roller 18 is operated by the signal VSYNC from the reader (synchronized with the image tip sensor 37b described above), but in this case, as in the case of the trimming shift described above, there is a Y signal between this signal and the signal from the image tip sensor 37b. This is done by providing a time period equivalent to ₁ . Furthermore, since each cassette is loaded with reference to the position corresponding to the standard position SP side of the reader, the image output is shifted by _X1 in the main scanning direction.
This is done by presetting the read address counter as in the trimming shift described above. The above control modes are selected using soft keys corresponding to the display, but they can also be selected by providing a dedicated key and inputting it.

By inputting the above-mentioned auto command, this portion can be printed at a variable size to fit the sheet in the cassette. This indicates that the printer's selected cassette size signal is
It is sent to the reader via the S.DATA line, so
Using this signal, a desired copy can be obtained by sequentially performing trimming, shifting, and scaling according to the procedures described above in FIGS. 10-A to 10-L. In other words, auto adjusts the ratio of the document sizes Δx and Δy in the X and Y directions to the sizes Px and Py of the cassette sheet in the X and Y directions, respectively, as shown in Figure 12-3.
Find mx, my. And the smaller ratio is X,
Set in RAM as a common magnification regarding Y,
The above-mentioned scaling process is performed. Therefore, a copy with automatic scaling based on one direction of the sheet can be obtained. Auto 2, as shown in Figure 12-4,
Find the ratio of each of the X and Y directions of the original to the direction,
The magnification in the X direction and the magnification in the Y direction are each set independently. Therefore, the original image can be copied over the entire sheet. Auto 1 and 2 can be similarly executed in auto magnification by specifying trimming coordinates.

Incidentally, FIG. 10-L shows a flowchart of the above-mentioned trimming, scaling, and shifting procedures. In the case where there is a shift, we first perform the procedure on the x ₀ and y ₀ points (Figure 10-J), but in the case where there is no shift (movement), the x ₀ ', y ₀ '→x ₅ and y ₅ , the start bit counter and end bit counter shown in FIG. 11 can be controlled to make the area outside the trimming white. In this case, since the area that can be trimmed is one area surrounded by straight lines, the area to be divided into rectangles in the y-axis direction is specified by specifying two diagonal points in xy coordinates. Maximum is 3 divisions. Enter the unit in mm.

In other words, (x ₀ y ₀ , x ₁ y ₁ ) + (x ₂ y ₂ , x ₃ y ₃ ) + (x ₄ y ₄ ,
x ₅ y ₅ ). When this is set to manual shift or auto, coordinate conversion is performed as described above to control the VIDEO output.

In FIG. 11, 90 and 91 are exclusive OR gates for determining the image area, and OF is a signal that controls it. When it is 1, the inside of the work area determined by the ST counter and EN counter is masked, the outside is the output image, and 0.
In this case, the area inside the area is used as the output image and the area outside the area is masked. 92 is an AND gate that controls the output of the previous image data; 93 is an AND gate that determines whether to output the mask as black or white; BB is a signal that controls it; when it is 1, it is black; When it is 0, white is output. 95 is gate 9
The image output output by 2,93
OR gate that outputs as VIDEO; 94 is an exclusive OR gate that controls black and white inversion of image data;
IN is the signal that controls it; when it is 1, it is the original raw image, and when it is 0, it is inverted. Each signal is
Masking, white, black,
It is output after determining that there is a negative input.

That is, in the case of mask signal 1, when the Q of the flip-flop 82 becomes 1 due to the rise of the ST counter, the output of the gate 90 becomes 0, and the output of the gate 92 remains unchanged until the EN counter rises, that is, until the Q becomes 0. do not have. In other words, it is masked. Instead, the output of gate 91 is 1 during that time, so it is a black/white signal.
When BB is 1, the gate 93 is 1, and therefore the image output gate 95 continuously outputs 1. In other words, it is masked. Conversely, if OF=1 and BB=0, a white mask is created. Also, if OF=0, the outputs of gates 90 and 91 will be 1 and 0, respectively, so if BB=1, the area outside of trimming will be black, and OFF=
If 0, BB=0, the outside of the trimming will be white.

13-1 and 13-2 are an explanatory diagram and a control flow diagram by the CPU for moving a small original or a trimmed original to the approximate center of the sheet and printing (centering). That is, as described above, the maximum and minimum values (TXMAX, TYMAX) of the trimming coordinates of the shaded area,
(TXMIN, TYMIN) (1). This can also be set for the aforementioned coordinate sensing. Next, determine the magnification in the X and Y directions that suits the sheet. This can be found as MX and MY using the subroutine auto AT2 method (2). In order to select any magnification in the X and Y directions, use the numeric keypad as described above.
MX and MY can be determined or can be determined by subroutine AT1. Next, the lengths of the sheet in the X and Y directions are set in RAM as PS-.X and PS-.Y. This is determined by data from the printer (3). Using these data, find the movement coordinates TXM and TYM for centering (4). In other words, subtract the scaled length of the trimming width in the X direction from the sheet length and divide the result by 1/
2, the X-direction coordinate TXM is found. Similarly, TYM in the Y direction is determined. It is considered valid only if TXM and TYM are positive, and a warning is issued if they are negative.
Thereafter, the method shown in FIGS. 10-A to 10-K described above is followed.

Figures 14-1 to 14-3 show a book manuscript placed at any position on the platen 3 in any vertical or horizontal direction, and with the book manuscript open, the left page, the left page, the top page, and the bottom page are read independently or successively. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram and a control flow diagram of a book mode in which printing is performed on one sheet or two sheets. Now, for a book manuscript placed on a platen, there are two cases in which the center binding line is parallel to the sub-scanning direction as shown in the dotted line in Figure 14-1a, and in the main scanning direction as shown in the dotted line in Figure 14-1b. A parallel case is possible. Hereinafter, in Figure 14-1 a, the part above the dotted line (binding) will be referred to as the upper page, and the part below will be referred to as the lower page.
In Figure b, the part to the left of the dotted line (border) is called the left page, and the part to the right is called the right page.

The book mode can be divided into the following seven modes.

(a) Print only the left page (b) Print only the right page (c) Print left and right pages on separate sheets (d) Print only the top page (e) Print only the bottom page (f) Print the top and bottom pages on separate sheets (g) Printing both the left and right pages or the top and bottom pages on one sheet The above seven modes are displayed in abbreviations on the liquid crystal display 202 and selected and specified using the soft keys 201. 1) Select display of (a) to (g) as separate modes. (2) (a) and (d), (b) and (e), (c)
and (f) are displayed as the same mode. (or
(a) and (e), (b) and (d), and (c) and (f) are the same mode).

As shown in Figure 14-2, whether the mode display specification method is (1) or (2), when the copy start key is pressed after setting the mode, a forward scan is performed to detect the document coordinates (step 1). ), book document position (X2, Y1) and size (X3-X2, Y4-Y1)
(Step 2) and calculate the copy paper size PS-
x, PS-y are set (step 3).

When the mode specification method is (1), as soon as the position and size of the book document are known, each mode (a) is selected.
The following processing is performed according to ~(g).

When the mode specification method is (2), the following process is performed after determining whether the set original is oriented as shown in Figure 14-1 a or 14-1 b, as described later. (Steps 12-26).

(a) When printing only the left page, first set the trimming coordinates XMiN to XZ, XMAX to X3, YMiN to y1,
YMAX is the Y coordinate of the center of the book (y1 + y4) ×
After setting it to 0.5 (step 13, step 15), perform the centering described above. (Step 25). Next, the inversion position of the optical system is determined by adding a slight margin γ to YMAX to obtain the inversion position P (step 26).
These data are set in RAM. According to the coordinates thus determined, the image of the left half of the book original shown in FIG. 14-1b can be printed at the center of the sheet.

(b) If only the right page is printed, XMiN,
For XMAX, follow step 13 in the same way as in (a), and for YMiN
is the Y coordinate of the center of the book (y1+y4)×0.5,
After setting yMAX to y4 (step 17) and performing the above-mentioned centering (step 25), the optical system inversion point P (step 26) is determined.

(c) When printing the left and right pages sequentially on separate sheets (step 20), use the same procedure as (a) above for only the left page.
(b) Set the data by sequentially performing the case of only the right page. That is, data for two cycles is set in steps 21 to 23 for the first page, and set and stored in steps 24 to 26 for the second page.

(d) If only the top page is printed, crop coordinates
After setting yMiN to y1, yMAX to y4, XMiN to X2, and setting XMAX to the center of the book (y2+x3) x 0.5 (step 12, step 15), perform the centering described above (step 25). As the optical system inversion position P, a slight margin γ is added to yMAX (step 26), and these data are set in the RAM. According to the coordinates obtained in this manner, the image of the upper half from the seam in FIG. 14-1a is printed in the center of the sheet.

(e) Trimming coordinates if only the bottom page is printed,
Set yMiN and yMAX to XMiN as in (d)
as the binding of the book (x2 + x3) x 0.5
Set xMAX to X3 (step 12, step 17),
The above-mentioned centering (step 25) optical system inversion position P is the same as in (d) (step 26).

(f) If the upper and lower pages are to be printed on separate sheets one after another, set the data by sequentially performing the above-mentioned cases (d) for only the upper page and (e) for only the lower page. That is, the data for the upper and lower two cycles are stored as data sets in steps 21-23 for the first page data, and steps 24-26 for the second page data.

(g) If you want to print both the left and right sides or the top and bottom on one sheet, use yMiN in the same way as for normal copying.
y1, yMAX to y4, XMiN to X2, XMAX to X3
(Step 19) Perform the above-mentioned centering (Step 25), and set the optical system inversion position P to yMAX.
A slight margin γ is added to (step 26) and these data are set in RAM. As soon as the data necessary for printing has been set in RAM, the main scan is started and printing is executed.

In this scan, the preset
Printing is performed by performing preset control of the address counter and sequence control of the scanner according to the contents of the RAM. In other words, in mode (c), place the book original as shown in Figure 14-1 b,
When printing two pages consecutively, a read address counter and a start bit counter control the reading of image data from the shift memory during the first scan to print the left page and the second scan to print the right page; The preset value to the end bit counter is the same, except that the reversal position of the optical system is Y1+Y4/2+γ for the first time, and Y4+γ for the second time.

On the other hand, in mode (f), when placing a book original as shown in Figure 14-1a and printing two consecutive pages, the top page and the bottom page, the optical system is activated during both the first and second scans. The inversion position is equal to Y4+γ, and conversely, the preset values to the various counters are different.

The above operation is possible regardless of whether magnification is changed automatically or manually, and it is also possible to arbitrarily make the outside of the effective image area of the document white or black. In each of the above modes,
As described above, the image is reproduced at the proper position by delaying or advancing the start timing of the scanner or the registration timing of sheet feeding on the printer side depending on the amount of information due to centering or the like. It is also possible to manually input the Y coordinate of the document using the numeric keys or size keys. In addition, the main scanning direction is automatically detected and simply centered using the X coordinate 2 determined by key input. In this way, the right and left pages or the top and bottom pages of the book can be printed at appropriate magnifications without moving the book in real time, making copy scanning extremely easy. Furthermore, since it is possible to print in the center of the sheet and to arbitrarily cut out unnecessary information, copy quality can be extremely high. Furthermore, printing can be started before the reading is completed by the reader, and the copying speed can be extremely high even though various editing operations have been performed.

Next, automatic determination of the placement orientation of the book original in the case of mode designation method (2) will be described. The length of the selected sheet size in the main scanning direction is PS-X,
Let the length in the sub-scanning direction be PS-Y. On the other hand, the size of the detected book original is
The upper and lower page sizes divided into equal parts (X3-X2/2・Y4-Y1) and the left and right page sizes divided into two equal parts parallel to the main scanning direction (X3-X2, y4-y1/2) are determined. Next, find the vertical/horizontal ratio MX×(X3−X2)/2/My×(y4−y1) of the size after variable output for the top and bottom pages, and set it as R.(5)Similarly, for the left and right pages, MX×(X3 −X2)/My×y4−y1/2 is 4R, and between them ()14R
There are three relationships: ()R4R()R<4R1. (However, in automatic magnification mode, M×/
Let My=1. (6) On the other hand, regarding PS-X/PS-y, (1) PS-x/PS-y>1 (2) PS-x/PS-y<1 can be considered (PS-x/PS-y=1 (is omitted because it cannot occur with the normal sheet size.) Due to the correlation between the conditions (), (), (), and (1) and (2), the book original on the platen is 14-1a.
or 14-1b, in which direction it is placed is determined. The results are shown in Figure 14-3. (Steps 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).

() In the case of 1R<4R, even if it is assumed that R=1, 4R=4, which is very different from the vertical and horizontal ratio of a normal sheet size and is not common, so it is determined that it is the R side, that is, the upper and lower pages.

Conversely, in the case of ()R<4R1, even if it is assumed that 4R=1, R=0.25, and for the same reason as above, it is determined to be 4R, that is, the left and right pages.

() When R<4R<1, when PS-x/PS-y>1, it is determined to be 4R, that is, the left and right pages.When PS-x/PS-y<1, it is determined that it is R, that is, the upper and lower pages. This is intended to output the document in the longitudinal direction of the sheet in the longitudinal direction of the sheet.

The above judgment method is based on the sheet size selected by the operator, but in addition to this, it is also based on the automatically recognized book document size (X3-X2) and (y4
-y1) and dividing the longer one into two is simple and sufficiently effective for general books (A, B, LETTER series), and is also effective in automatic sheet selection mode.

A specific example of the above method is given below. The left and right pages of a paperback book approximately 150mm x 105mm in size when closed.
When printing on individual sheets of A4 size, if the printer only has an A4 horizontal feed cassette, the operator should place the paperback book at any position on the platen so that the binding is parallel to the main scanning direction, and then select the mode. After setting, just press the copy start key. In this case, the automatically detected size is
Since X3-X2≒150mm and y4-y1≒210mm, in the case of equal magnification or automatic magnification, the aforementioned R≒0.364R=1.43.

Also, in the case of A4 sheet horizontal feeding, PS-X = 297 (mm),
PS-y=210 (mm) so PS-x/PS-y=1.41
According to Figure 14-3, it is determined that the left and right pages are
The desired print can be obtained. If it is the same size, it will be printed in the center of the sheet due to the centering described above, and there will be no black border around it.
Enlarged to 200% to fill an A4 sheet.

Also, if the printer only has an A4 vertical feed cassette, the operator can place the paperback book at any position on the platen so that the binding line is parallel to the sub-scanning direction.R=0.7, 4R=2.8, PS-x/ PS-
Since y=0.7, this time it is determined that the pages are the upper and lower pages, and the desired print can still be obtained.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the arrangement of divided regions of image information to be generated based on a document is controlled based on at least the direction of the document, although other elements may be included. It became possible. In other words, it is now possible to control how the data is divided. Furthermore, it becomes possible to visualize and output each of the image information corresponding to the plurality of divided regions subjected to the scaling process onto a separate sheet of paper.

[Effects] As detailed above, according to the present invention, the arrangement of divided regions of image information to be generated based on a document is controlled based on at least the direction of the document, and the arrangement of divided regions of image information to be generated based on a document is controlled, and the arrangement of divided regions of image information to be generated based on a document is controlled, It has become possible to provide an image processing device that can visualize and output each piece of corresponding image information onto separate sheets of paper.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1-1 is a diagram showing the appearance of the copying apparatus.
FIGS. 1-2 are structural sectional views of the reader and printer. FIGS. 2-1 and 2-2 are diagrams showing the main scanning direction of the reader and printer and the output images. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a composite function that combines intelligent functions. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed view of the operating section. FIG. 5 is a system block diagram of the reader unit. FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the timing of connector interface signals. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sensor on the scanning optical system of the reader. Figure 9 shows an enlarged image of the original.
It is a figure which shows the method of reduction. Figure 10-A ~ 1st
The diagram 0-F is a diagram showing the state of trimming. FIG. 10-G is a diagram showing count data. FIG. 10-H is a diagram showing preset values of the start bit counter and end bit counter. FIG. 10-I is a diagram showing the read start address point. Figure 10-J, Figure 10-K, Figure 10-L
The figure is a flowchart showing the steps of trimming, scaling, and shifting. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a circuit related to a shift memory. FIG. 12-1 is a diagram showing a state in which an original is placed on the original platen glass 3. As shown in FIG. FIG. 12-2 is a diagram showing a coordinate detection circuit diagram. FIG. 12-3 is a flowchart for detecting the size ratio of the cassette and original. No. 12-4
The figure is a flowchart for detecting the size ratio of the cassette and original in the X and Y directions. 13th
Fig.-1 and Fig. 13-2 are explanatory diagrams of centering. Figure 14-1, Figure 14-2, Figure 14-3
The figure is an explanatory diagram of book mode. 514... cpu, A... reader, B... printer, 101... start key.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Recognition means for recognizing the direction of a document; controlling the arrangement of divided regions of image information to be generated according to the document, based on the direction of the document recognized by the recognition means; control means for performing scaling processing on the image information generated corresponding to the plurality of divided regions; scaling processing means for scaling the image information generated corresponding to the plurality of divided regions; An image processing device comprising: output means for visualizing and outputting each piece of image information onto a separate sheet of paper.