JPH06319034A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability and the picture quality by retrieving plural document data stored in an image memory and connecting them from sides where the amount of data showing features is large into one image. CONSTITUTION:Images which are divisionally read out of a CCD sensor 6 are stored as document data in an image memory 43. When a connection mode is specified, the document data are sent to a connection processing part 48. The data inputted to the processing part 48 are retrieved at a connection recognition part 44, which recognizes connections of the document. After a data rearrangement part 45 rearranges the data so that the connections face each other, a positioning part 46 positions the data so that images at the connections match each other and then a composing process part 47 puts them together. The document data after the processing by the processing part 48 are inputted to the memory 43 again. Consequently, plural images can accurately be connected to improve the operability and also improve the picture quality.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a scanner, a facsimile, a printer or the like, which automatically joins images read in a divided manner to form one image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when a manuscript whose image cannot be read at one time due to its size being too large is reduced and recorded on one sheet of a desired size, plural manuscripts are used. A method is used in which the original is divided into two areas, each of them is reduced and copied, and then cut and pasted to create a single original by joining them together, and then the original is copied again. However, when such a method is used, not only is the work more time-consuming than necessary, but there is also a problem in that a portion such as a joint between images formed by cutting and pasting is likely to be misaligned and the image quality is deteriorated. .

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-331567, in the case where an image of a document larger than a copy processable size is divided and the copy process is performed, a plurality of image data read by dividing the image is referred to as the document. A digital image forming apparatus having a function of performing composite editing in the same state and reducing to a copyable size is disclosed. When such a digital image forming apparatus is used, it is possible to manually combine the divided and reduced images and to copy the combined original again. It is possible to copy on one sheet of paper of the size.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned digital image forming apparatus, since the image data stored in the image memory is rotated in a predetermined direction and reduced to a predetermined size, the processing is performed after the combination. In the image, there is a possibility that the image may be displaced at the joint portion, which causes a problem that the image quality is deteriorated. Further, when there are a large number of originals into which the image is divided, it is necessary to sufficiently consider the image reading order, the orientation of the originals set on the original table, and the like, which leads to a reduction in work efficiency. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to accurately join the images read in a divided manner without deteriorating the workability and to obtain a good image. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device capable of forming a.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image processing apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is provided with an input means for reading an image of a document and an image divided and read from the input means. The storage means capable of storing the respective original data and the respective original data divided and stored in the storage means are searched, and the joint portions are sequentially recognized from the side having a large amount of characteristic data to align the original data. It is characterized in that it is provided with a joint processing means for performing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention uses input means for reading an image of a document and images divided and read from the input means as document data. Storage means capable of storing,
By identifying the color of the image read by the input means,
The original color identification means for creating color data corresponding to each original and the original data stored in the storage means are associated with the color data created by the original color identification means to arrange the colors of the original data. It is characterized in that it is provided with a joint processing means for recognizing a joint portion by searching and aligning the document data.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the respective manuscript data pieces divided and stored in the storage means are processed by the stitching processing means.
The seams are sequentially recognized from the side having a large amount of characteristic data obtained by searching each document data, and the document data is aligned.

By thus setting the order in which the joining process is executed according to the characteristic data amount, for example, in the case where the joining process is executed for many originals or complicated images. , It is possible to recognize the joints in a short time without requiring special consideration for the order of inputting the originals, the orientation of the originals during reading, etc.
Since the arrangement of each document data can be determined, it is possible to execute the joining process accurately and quickly. Therefore, the workability in joining the images is improved and the image quality can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the color of each original read by the input means is identified by the original color identifying means, the joining processing means is the original color identifying means. The created color data is searched in correspondence with each original data, the joint is recognized, and the original data is aligned.

Therefore, for example, even when a large number of originals or a complicated image are subjected to the stitching process, no special consideration is required for the order of inputting the originals, the orientation of the originals at the time of reading, or the like. Since a plurality of images can be joined accurately and quickly, the workability can be improved and the image quality can be improved.

[0012]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The description will be made based on No. 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, the digital copying machine as the image processing apparatus of this embodiment is provided with an original placing table 27 made of hard transparent glass or the like at the upper end of the copying machine main body 26. Below the document table 27, the lamp unit 1,
Mirrors 2, 3, 4, lens unit 5, and CCD (Cha
A scanner unit (input means) 22 having a rge coupled device sensor 6 and the like is provided. Document placing table 2
The original (not shown) placed on the lamp unit 1
The reflected light obtained by irradiating with
CCD sensor 6 through the 3 and 4 and lens unit 5
It is guided to the light receiving surface of and is taken in as an electric signal.

A laser driver unit 7 is provided below the scanner unit 22. CCD above
Original data captured as an electric signal by the sensor 6 is temporarily stored in an image memory (storage means) 43 provided in an image processing system, which will be described later, and is subjected to a predetermined process in this image processing system, and then the laser beam. It is designed to be sent to the driver unit 7. Laser driver unit 7
Is a semiconductor laser that emits a laser beam in accordance with the input document data, a polygon mirror that deflects the laser beam at a constant angular velocity, and a laser beam that is deflected at a constant angular velocity is deflected at a constant angular velocity on the photosensitive drum 10. It has an f-θ lens for correction.

The laser light emitted from the laser driver unit 7 is reflected by the mirrors 8 and 9 arranged on the optical path, and is applied to the photosensitive drum 10 rotatably provided in the direction of arrow A in the figure. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 10. In addition, the photosensitive drum 1
0 is provided with a charger 16 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 10 to a predetermined potential prior to the exposure by the laser driver unit 7. Further, the charger 16 extends from the charger 16 in the rotating direction of the photosensitive drum 10. To supply toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 10 to form a toner image, the transfer belt 17 on which the toner image on the photoconductor drum 10 is intermediately transferred, and the toner remains on the photoconductor drum 10. A cleaning device 21 that removes the toner that has been removed, a discharge lamp 15 that removes the residual potential of the photosensitive drum 10 prior to the next charging, and the like are arranged in this order.

The developing device 28 is a black developing tank 1.
1, a yellow developing tank 12, a magenta developing tank 13, and a cyan developing tank 14, and the developing tanks 11 to 14 respectively store toners of corresponding colors. The transfer belt 17 is formed as an endless belt, and is indicated by an arrow B in the figure.
The toner image on the photosensitive drum 10 is transferred by pressing a part of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 10.

On the paper feed side of the transfer belt 17, a registration roller 19 for feeding the paper to the transfer belt 17 at a predetermined timing, and a paper feed cassette 2 for housing the paper.
0, and a paper feed tray 23 on which paper is placed,
In the vicinity of the paper feed cassette 20 and the paper feed tray 23,
A paper feed roller 24 for transporting a sheet and a transport roller 2
5 and the like are provided. Below the transfer belt 17, there is provided a transfer roller 18 that presses the paper sent from the registration roller 19 against the transfer belt 17 and transfers the toner image on the transfer belt 17 onto the paper.

On the output side of the transfer belt 17, a conveying belt 30 for conveying the sheet after the toner transfer, a fixing device 31 for heating and fixing the toner image on the sheet, and a discharge roller for discharging the fixed sheet to the outside of the machine. 32 etc. are provided.

In the above configuration, color copy (3 col
or copy) is performed by the following operation procedure. First, when the charger 16 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 10, the scanner unit 22 performs the first scan, and C
Original data read by the CD sensor 6 passes through the image processing system and is output from the laser driver unit 7 as laser light of yellow data.
The surface is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image for yellow on the exposed portion. Then, the yellow developing tank 12 is formed on the electrostatic latent image in the image area.
Yellow toner is supplied to form toner images of the same color.

Next, the yellow toner image is transferred onto the transfer belt 17 which is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 10.
At this time, a part of the toner that does not contribute to the transfer remains on the surface of the photoconductor drum 10, but the cleaning device 21 scrapes off the remaining toner. In addition, the static elimination lamp 15
Removes the residual charge on the surface of the photoconductor drum 10. When the above steps are completed, the charger 16 is reactivated by the photosensitive drum 1 again.
0 surface is uniformly charged, the scanner unit 22 scans for a second time, and the obtained original document data passes through the above-mentioned image processing system and is exposed as a magenta data to the photosensitive drum 10 by the laser beam to make a magenta image. Form an electrostatic latent image. Then, magenta toner is supplied from the magenta developing tank 13 to form toner images of the same color. Then, this toner image is transferred to the transfer belt 17, and the images are superimposed.

After that, when the cleaning device 21 and the static elimination lamp 15 perform the same processing as the above, the charging device 16
However, the electrostatic latent image for cyan is formed on the photosensitive drum 10 by uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 10, the scanner unit 22 performs the third scanning, and exposing the laser light as cyan data. To do. Then, cyan toner is supplied from the cyan developing tank 14 to the photosensitive drum 10,
By forming toner images of the same color and transferring the toner images to the transfer belt 17, final image superposition is performed.

Next, the toner image on the transfer belt 17 on which the images are superimposed is transferred to a sheet, and the fixing device 31 heat-fixes the toner image on the sheet, and then the discharge roller 32 discharges the sheet to the outside of the apparatus.

Incidentally, the above-mentioned process is a process for three-color, and in the case of a four-color process, a process using the black toner stored in the black developing tank 11 is added to the above process. On the other hand, black-and-white copying is performed by supplying black toner from the black developing tank 11 to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 10 and transferring the toner image onto a sheet via the transfer belt 17.

Next, the configuration and function of the image processing system for subjecting the document data read by the CCD sensor 6 to predetermined processing and outputting the data to the laser driver unit 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

The image processing system performs color reproduction according to the original document, and joins the images read in a divided manner. The R / G / B level adjusting unit 40 and the A / D converter 41 are used. , Shading correction unit 42, image memory 4
3, joining processing unit (joining processing means) 4
8, γ correction unit 49, black document detection unit 50, masking unit 5
1. UCR (Under Color Removal) -BP (Black Prin
t) processing unit 52, sharpness filter 53, scaling processing unit 54, density processing unit 55, color balance adjustment unit 56,
And a gradation processing unit 57 and the like.

In this image processing system, the CCD sensor 6
The R, G, and B manuscript data obtained from
The B-level adjustment unit 40 corrects the sensor variations among R, G, and B, and then the A / D converter 41 converts the sensor variation into a digital signal, and then the shading correction unit 4
2, the image memory 4 receives the shading correction for correcting the sensitivity variation for each pixel of the sensor and the uneven illumination.
Once stored in 3.

Here, when a stitching mode, which will be described later, is designated, a plurality of originals on which image stitching processing is performed are sequentially scanned and stored in the image memory 43. The document data to be subjected to the stitching process is sent from the image memory 43 to the stitching processing unit 48.

The joint processing section 48 is a joint recognizing section 44, a data rearranging section 45, and a position aligning section 4.
6, and a combination processing unit 47. Regarding the document data input to the joint processing unit 48, first, the joint recognition unit 44 searches the data to recognize the joints of the document, and the data rearrangement unit 45.
In, the rearrangement is performed so that the joints face each other, and then, the alignment unit 46 aligns the images of the joints so that they are aligned with each other, and the combining processing unit 47 combines them. The original data after the processing in the stitching processing unit 48 is finished is input to the image memory 43 again. A more detailed operation procedure when performing the above-mentioned joining process will be described later.

The original data output from the image memory 43 is input to the γ correction unit 49 together with the data from the black original detection unit 50 which determines whether it is a black-and-white copy or a color copy to adjust the contrast and brightness. Γ correction is performed, and then the masking processing unit 51 performs a predetermined calculation to convert the R, G, B data into C, M.
• Converted to Y (yellow, magenta, cyan) data. Next, the C, M, Y manuscript data is UCR, BP
UC in which the gray component is removed from the three color toners of C, M, and Y and replaced with black toner in the processing unit 52
R processing and BP processing in which black toner is added to the above three color toners are performed, whereby C, M, and
B _K (black) data is added to the Y document data.

Then, the C, M, Y, and B _K original data are subjected to sharpness enhancement by the sharpness filter 53, and then converted into a designated size and density by a scaling processing unit 54 and a density processing unit 55. The color balance adjustment unit 56 and the gradation processing unit 57 perform balance adjustment and gradation processing of each color, and then output to the laser driver unit 7.

Next, a processing procedure for performing the above-mentioned original data joining processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the stitching mode is selected from the operation panel (not shown) (S1), the document of divided images is scanned (S2), and the document data read from the CCD sensor 6 is stored in the image memory 43. (S3).
Such document scanning and document data storage is performed in (S
2. S3) and S4 are repeated for the number of sheets until it is determined that the reading of the originals is completed.

When the reading of the originals is completed and the execution of the joining process is instructed (S5), data for a predetermined line is searched from each end of all the sides of the stored original data, and the characteristics are searched. The feature of the document is extracted by recognizing a specific line segment, a symbol, or a variation amount of data (S6).

Then, after extracting the features of each side in all the original data, the amounts of changes in the data on each side are compared to compare the amount of characteristic data, and the side with the most data is connected in sequence. Execute the matching process. That is, by comparing the features sequentially extracted from the side having a large amount of data, it is determined whether or not the joint data is coincident (S7). Rearrangement (S8),
Align the images so that they connect smoothly. The determination of the data coincidence (S7), the rearrangement of the original data (S8), and the alignment are repeatedly performed in the above-described order until the completion of the processing of all the data is determined in S9. On the other hand, if NO is determined in S7, the original data is not rearranged, and the process proceeds to S9. In the above process, if there is a side that cannot be joined, a mismatch flag is set and the remaining sides are joined.

When the processing of all the data is completed, data loss correction is performed on the side for which the mismatch flag is set (S10). Then, in S11, it is determined whether or not the missing correction is completed, and if the missing correction is completed,
Then, it is determined whether or not all the stored document data are combined into one image to complete the joining process (S13). On the other hand, if it is determined in S11 and S13 that the completion of the missing correction or the joining process is NO, a warning that the joining process cannot be executed is displayed (S12), and the operation is stopped.

When the completion of the joining process is determined in S13, it is then determined whether or not the paper size for forming the combined image is designated (S14). If the paper size is not specified, the maximum size paper set in the digital copying machine is selected (S15), and the original data is scaled according to the maximum size paper. (S16). On the other hand, when the paper size is designated in advance, the scaling processing is performed according to the designated size. Further, coordinate conversion of the scaled original data is performed according to the sheet feeding direction (S17), and the processed original data is output to the laser driver unit 7, thereby copying the image combined on the paper. (S1
8).

Next, the feature extraction of originals in the above joining process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the side from which the feature is to be extracted is arbitrarily selected from the read original data (S21), and from the end of the selected side to a predetermined line, for example, from the end of the image to several tens of lines inside. Area is designated (S22). And characteristic line segments, symbols, data sequences, patterns,
The method in which the feature is most apparent according to the amount of change is selected according to the image, and the feature existing in the area is extracted (S
23), digitize and store the extracted features (S2)
4).

Selection of such an extraction target side (S2
1), area designation (S22), feature extraction (S2)
3) and the storing of features (S24) are performed until it is determined in S25 that the feature extraction of all data is completed, that is, for all target sides of all read original data. When the feature extraction of all document data is completed, then, for each side from which the feature has been extracted, the amount of data stored by digitizing the features is compared, and the joining order is set according to the order of the existing data amount. (S26).

That is, since there is a high possibility that the images will match on the sides where the amount of characteristic data is almost the same, the sides with the largest amount of data are combined in order according to the amount of data existing on each side. Recognize the seams. In this way, by sequentially performing the joining process from the side having a large amount of existing data, it becomes possible to recognize the joints in a short time, and the layout of the document data is determined. Therefore, even for a side with a small amount of data in which the joint is difficult to recognize, it is possible to find the side where the images match in a short time.

In the image memory 43, the address space on the memory is set after detecting the reading size of the document in accordance with the normal control of image reading, storage, copying, and the like. , As shown in FIG.
Document data is stored at the rate of one image per page. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the edge of each image (for example, the shaded area in the figure) is defined by an address on the memory, and the above feature extraction is performed based on this address. The area to be used is specified.

When the feature extraction is performed as described above and the data amounts of the features are compared, the data having the most features are processed according to the data amount of each side by the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. The match / mismatch of is sequentially determined.

First, the features of the sides to be joined are roughly compared (S31), and then it is determined whether or not the compared features match within an approximate range (S3).
2). If the characteristics are substantially the same, the original data is rearranged so that the joints face each other, and the alignment is performed so that the data arrangement, the pattern, the hue, and the like match. That is, by moving the image vertically and horizontally (S33 and S35), the deviation of the image at the time of reading is corrected, and by rotating the image several degrees (S37), the inclination of the document at the time of reading is corrected. To do.

When the features are roughly compared at the beginning,
When it is determined that the features do not match when the image is moved vertically and horizontally or when the image is rotated (S32, S34, S36, S38), the image is rotated 180 degrees ( S39), and again it is determined whether the features match within the approximate range (S40). If it is determined in S40 that the features do not match, the image is rotated several times (S41), and if it is determined that the features do not match (S42), the mismatch flag is set (S43).

In other words, the shape of the original is almost rectangular, and it is possible to read the image with the up and down directions reversed. Therefore, even if the images do not match in the stored state, they are stored in the image memory 43. Then, one of the original data is rotated 180 degrees and is checked again. further,
Considering the case where the original was set with a slight inclination at the time of reading, even if it was not determined that the features coincided with each other after being rotated 180 degrees, the image was further rotated several degrees to compare the features. Is supposed to do.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S40 and S42 that the features match within the approximate range, the feature is recognized as a joint and the process proceeds to S33, where the data arrangement, pattern, etc. are matched in the same manner as above. Then, the image is aligned in the vertical and horizontal directions by moving and rotating the image.

Next, determination of completion of processing of all data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the stitching procedure is input in advance by some method, for example, at the time of reading an image, it is determined in S51 that there is an input procedure. In this case, the side that is the end of the image is determined. It is known that the joining process of the side corresponding to the end of the image is not performed. Therefore, by checking whether the joining process of each other side is performed (S53), the processing of all data is completed. It is determined whether or not (S54).

On the other hand, if the original data is randomly input and the procedure for joining is not specified, NO is determined in S51, so check the execution of the joining processing on the four sides of each data. By (S52), it is determined whether the processing of all data is completed (S54). In this way, when the original data is randomly input, it is determined that the side for which the feature mismatch is determined corresponds to the edge of the image, and then the other side is connected. To execute.

Explaining in detail with reference to FIG. 9, for example, when four images a to d are randomly input, the feature is extracted from the four sides of each image a to d, and all the data are extracted. When the processing is completed, a ₄ and b ₃ , b ₂ and d ₁ , a ₂ and c ₁ , c ₄ and d ₃ are connected according to the order set according to the feature amount as described above. Matching processing is performed, and 8 sides (a ₁・ a ₃・ b ₁・ b ₄・ c ₂・ c ₃・ d ₂・ d ₄ ) corresponding to the edges of the image
For, the mismatch flag is set. As described above, at the time when the processing of all the data is completed, if the mismatch flag is set at a position other than the end portion of the image, the data loss correction is performed. This missing correction will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not there is a mismatch flag (S
61) If the mismatch flag is not set, the missing correction is not performed and the process proceeds to the determination of the joining process completion. On the other hand, if the mismatch flag is set, then it is checked whether or not the joining process of other sides is completed (S62). In other words, if something goes wrong and the stitching process cannot be performed,
Since the mismatch flag is set,
To determine whether the cause is that the images are not finally combined into one due to an error when setting the originals, or if the images are missing when reading the originals, the other side joining processing is performed. Check if has been completed.

If it is determined in S63 that the joining of the other sides has not been completed, it is determined that the setting of the above flags is due to an error in setting the original, and the joining process cannot be performed. Is displayed as a warning. On the other hand, if it is determined in S63 that the joining of the other sides has been completed, it is determined that the setting of the flag is due to the loss of the image, and in order to perform the loss correction, the determination of the loss area is first started. To do.

That is, it is assumed that the position of the image in which the missing portion has occurred is determined with respect to the surrounding images by the joining process of the remaining sides other than the side in which it is determined that the image is missing. The missing area is determined. First, with the side connected to the side where the missing portion is generated as the first line, the sub-scan is scanned line by line in the main scanning direction until a change in data appears (S64), and the first line is a, The missing area is determined with the line showing the change in the data as b (S65).

Therefore, for example, an image as shown in FIG. 11 is stored as original data in the image memory 43, and the original data 60 having a missing portion is surrounded by the sides 60a and 60b where the missing portion does not occur. Manuscript data 6
When the position is aligned with 1.62 and the position with respect to the original data 63 is also determined, the scanning start line is a (the end portion of the original data 63), and the line showing the change in data is b, It is determined that the area between a and b is a missing area of the image.

Next, the process of creating the correction data for complementing the missing area of the image determined as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

First, the main scanning counter is cleared (S7
1) Based on the previously determined area, the main scanning counter is counted up until data exists in either one of the original data (S72), and a predetermined line, for example, data of several tens of lines is searched. Then, the inclination is confirmed (S73). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the data of the other original data exists near the extension line of the data for which the inclination is confirmed (S74). If the data does not exist, it is determined that the target is unknown (S75). , A warning is displayed that the joining process cannot be performed.

On the other hand, if there is data in the vicinity of the extension line, NO is determined in S75, and the correction data of the missing area is created so as to connect the data of both document data (S).
76). The above-described processing (S72 to S76) is performed for one line in the main scanning direction, and if it is determined in S77 that the data creation is completed for all the one line in the main scanning direction, the process proceeds to the completion determination of the joining processing.

In the judgment of the completion of the joining process, FIG.
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, if the stitching procedure is input in advance, it is determined in S81 that there is an input procedure, and whether all the data are connected to one image as specified according to the input procedure. Is checked (S82). On the other hand, if the input procedure is not designated, it is checked whether all the data are connected (S8).
3). Then, in S84, when the completion of the joining process is not determined, a warning that the process cannot be executed is displayed, while when the completion of the joining process is determined, it is determined whether or not the paper size is specified. After that, the above-described scaling processing, coordinate conversion, and the like are performed to copy the combined image.

Next, for example, a case where the joining process is performed on six originals 65 to 70 as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14F in the order according to the characteristic data amount will be described in detail. To explain.

First, the images of the originals 65 to 70 are sequentially read, the features of the original data are extracted, and the data amounts existing on the respective sides are compared. In this case, the side A _{1 of the} original 66 is determined.
The side A _2, side B ₂ sides B ₁ and the document 67 of the document 66, the side C ₂ sides C ₁ and the document 70 of the document 69 in the document 69, document 67
Sides D ₁ and the side D ₂ of the document 70, the edges E ₂ sides E ₁ and the document 66 of the document 65, the side F ₂ sides F ₁ and the document 68 of the document 65,
The above joining process is executed in the order of the side G _{1 of the} original 68 and the side G ₂ of the original 69.

That is, first, the side A _{1 of the} document 66 is
It is judged whether or not the data showing the respective characteristics of the side of the original 69 and the side A _{2 of the} original 69 match, and if the data match, it is judged that joining is possible, and the sides A ₁ and A ₂ face each other. Rearrange the original data as follows. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the original data 66a is fixed, and the original data 6
As shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure, the position of the image is aligned so that the images are connected most smoothly by observing the coincidence of the data while shifting in the main scanning direction or the sub scanning direction.

Then, by sequentially performing such processing on each side in accordance with the order set as described above, all original data are joined and one sheet is read from a plurality of divided originals 65 to 70. The image of is combined. Then, the combined image is subjected to predetermined processing such as scaling processing, coordinate conversion, etc., and is output to the laser driver unit 7, whereby a copy 71 as shown in FIG. 16 can be obtained.

As described above, in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, when the divided images are combined and combined into one image, the side having the most characteristic data is processed in order. There is. By the way, when the number of documents increases or the image becomes complicated, it takes a lot of time to search the sides of the document where the data showing the characteristic coincides, and the occurrence of errors also increases. However, as described above, by performing the stitching process sequentially from the side with many features, the time required for recognizing the joint is significantly shortened, the processing time can be greatly shortened, and the images can be joined accurately. It will be possible.

Therefore, the workability in joining the divided images is improved and the image quality can be improved.

[Second Embodiment] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 17 to 20. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those of the members shown in the drawings of the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The digital copying machine as the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment has the structure shown in FIG. 2 similarly to the digital copying machine of the first embodiment, and the image having the structure shown in FIG. Equipped with a processing system. The image processing system is provided with a document color identification section (document color identification means) 80 for identifying the color of the document read by the CCD sensor 6.
The other configuration is the same as that of the image processing system (see FIG. 1) included in the digital copying machine according to the first embodiment.

The original data read by the CCD sensor 6 includes the R / G / B level adjusting unit 40, the A / D converter 41,
And the image memory 43 via the shading correction unit 42.
On the other hand, the color of the document is identified by being input from the CCD sensor 6 to the document color identification section 80. The color data obtained by the document color identification section 80 is input to the joint recognition section 44 of the joint processing section 48 to which the document data from the image memory 43 is input.

In the above configuration, when execution of the joining process is designated, the document data read by sequentially scanning a plurality of documents are subjected to a predetermined process, as in the first embodiment. After that, they are once stored in the image memory 43 and further sent to the joint recognition unit 44. In the joint recognition section 44, the color data from the document color identification section 80 is made to correspond to each document data, a predetermined line of data is searched from the end of each document data,
By recognizing the arrangement of colors near the edge of the image, the sides having the same arrangement of colors at the edge of the image are recognized as joints.

In this way, after recognizing the joint based on the color of the original data, each processing such as rearranging, aligning, synthesizing, and scaling of the original data is sequentially performed as in the first embodiment. As a result, the images read by being divided into a plurality of pieces are joined and combined into a single image.

For example, when originals 81 and 82 as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B are sequentially scanned and read as original data, it is determined whether the arrangement of colors on the original is substantially the same. The joint is recognized by determining whether or not. In the drawing, the difference in color on the document is indicated by the hatching direction. Therefore, by detecting that the color near the upper side of the side H ₁ of the original 81 and the color near the upper side of the side H ₂ of the original 82 are the same as the color near the lower side, the sides H ₁ and H ₂ are detected. It is recognized that they can be spliced together.

As shown in FIG. 19, on the image memory 43, one original data 81a is fixed, and the other original data 82a is in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction as shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure. By moving in the direction, the color data is matched and aligned. Then, after that, as described above, predetermined processing is performed, and if necessary, scaling processing, coordinate conversion, and the like are performed, and the result is output to the laser driver unit 7, so that one sheet as shown in FIG. A copy 84 can be obtained.

As described above, in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, the image processing system is provided with the document color identification section 80, so that the splicing process is performed based on the color data of the identified document. As a result, processing time can be shortened, errors can be prevented, and accurate connection can be performed. Therefore, workability can be improved and the image quality is improved.

[0073]

The image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention is
As described above, the input means for reading the image of the original, the storage means capable of storing the divided and read images from the input means as original data, and the respective original data divided and stored in the storage means are searched, It is configured to include a joint processing unit that sequentially recognizes the joint portions from the side having a large amount of characteristic data and aligns the document data.

Therefore, a plurality of images can be joined accurately and quickly to form one image by sequentially processing from the side having a large amount of characteristic data, so that workability can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to improve the image quality.

As described above, the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises the input means for reading the image of the original document, and the storage means for storing the images read separately by the input means as the original data. An original color identification unit that creates color data corresponding to each original by identifying the color of the image read by the input unit, and an original color identification unit created in each original data stored in the storage unit By combining the color data with each other, the arrangement of the colors of the respective manuscript data is searched to recognize a portion to be a joint, and a joint processing means for aligning the manuscript data is provided.

Therefore, by recognizing the joints from the colors of the identified originals, the joint processing can be executed accurately and quickly, so that the workability can be improved and the image quality can be improved. The effect is also possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system provided in a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the original data is joined in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for extracting characteristics of a document in the above-mentioned joining processing.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement state of document data on an image memory provided in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a search area of document data stored in the image memory.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when determining whether document data match or mismatch in the above-mentioned joining process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining completion of processing of all data in the joining processing.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement state of four images on which the above-mentioned joining processing is performed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when performing data loss correction in the above-mentioned joining processing.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing document data to be a target of the data loss correction.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for performing data loss correction in the above-mentioned joining processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining the completion of the joining process in the joining process.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a document on which a joining process is performed in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining alignment of document data read by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a copy obtained by performing the joining process.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system provided in a digital copying machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a document on which a joining process is performed in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining alignment of document data read by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a copy obtained by performing the joining process.

[Explanation of symbols]

22 Scanner Unit (Input Means) 43 Image Memory (Storage Means) 48 Joining Processing Section (Joining Processing Section) 65-70 Originals 66a / 69b Original Data 80 Original Color Identifying Section (Original Color Identifying Section) 81/82 Original 81a・ 82a Original data

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An input unit for reading an image of an original document, a storage unit capable of respectively storing images read separately by the input unit as original data, and each original data divided and stored in the storage unit is searched. An image processing apparatus comprising: a joint processing unit that sequentially recognizes a joint portion from a side having a large amount of characteristic data and aligns document data. 2. An input means for reading an image of an original, a storage means capable of storing the images read separately by the input means as original data, and a color of the image read by the input means are identified.
Document color identification means for creating color data corresponding to each original and the original data stored in the storage means are associated with the color data created by the above-mentioned original color identification means to arrange the color arrangement of each original data. An image processing apparatus comprising: a joint processing unit that recognizes a joint portion by searching and aligns document data.