JPH06333038A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image processor which can curely perform a designated area processing job even at an intersecting point or an apex of each area and even at a part where both areas are approximate to each other. CONSTITUTION:An image processor contains a bit map memory which stores the contents of the area processing job carried out to the subject image data as the area data having the prescribed length in the main scanning direction. Then the image processor applies an area processing job to a part held between the area data of the same kind in a single line and in response to the types of these area data. Then an area processing control part decides whether the area data to be newly written is overlapping or not the existing area data already written on a bit map (S601) when the area data are written on the bit map. If the new area data overlaps the existing one, the position of the new area data is corrected in the main scanning direction based on the position of the existing area data (S602).

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 used in a printer, a digital copying machine, or the like, and more specifically, to an arbitrary image processing (area processing) in a designated area of input target image data. ) And output to the outside.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image processing apparatus such as a digital copying machine,
During normal copying, image processing is performed uniformly on the entire read document, but for example, image processing for a document with a mixture of pictures, characters, and photographs, or image processing for obtaining a special effect, specifies the read document. The image processing that is different from the other areas is performed on the area. In such a case, the closed area (area) to be processed in the image processing apparatus is specified, the image processing content (area data) is specified, and the image of the specified content is specified for the image in the closed area. Processing (area processing) is performed.

As such an image processing apparatus, for example,
There is an "image processing device" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-45765. In this device, switching information corresponding to ON / OFF of processing is stored in a bitmap memory in advance, and during image processing, data in the bitmap memory is sequentially read according to a raster scanning signal to perform processing. The configuration is used for on / off control.

However, since the data stored in the bit map memory is directly connected to the on / off control of the image processing, the bit map memory is expanded in the depth direction as the type of image processing to be controlled increases. However, there is a drawback that a large capacity memory is required. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that switching control of a plurality of types of image processing cannot be performed substantially.

Therefore, in order to solve this, a bit map memory for storing the contents of the area processing for the target image data as area data having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction is provided, and There is proposed an image processing apparatus that performs area processing according to the type of area data on a portion sandwiched by area data of the same type. According to this device, it is possible to perform switching control of a plurality of types of area processing for a rectangular or non-rectangular area without requiring a large capacity memory.

[0006]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional technique, since the area data has a predetermined length in the main scanning direction, the intersections or vertices of the areas and the proximity of the areas to each other. Part, when writing area data to the bitmap memory, the newly written area data overlaps the existing area data already written on the bitmap, and the newly written area data overwrites the existing area data. There was a problem that it was erased and disappeared. In other words, there is a problem that it may not be possible to perform area processing with the contents specified by the existing area data.

Further, since the area processing is executed in the order of the appearing area data in the main scanning direction of one line on the bit map memory, it is specified when a plurality of areas are specified by a plurality of area data. If there are overlapping areas in a plurality of areas, there is a problem that it may not always be possible to obtain an output that has been subjected to desired area processing.

Further, according to the above-mentioned conventional technique, although a plurality of types of area processing can be performed on the designated area, the area is designated as a rectangular or non-rectangular area, so that the original image Area processing cannot be performed selectively only within an arbitrary closed loop of
There was a problem that it was not easy to use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is a first object of the present invention that it is possible to surely execute designated area processing even at intersections and vertices of areas and in the vicinity of areas.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and when a plurality of areas are designated, a second designated area is given priority to obtain a processed image output. To aim.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and by acquiring the contour line information from the image data read in advance before the area processing, an arbitrary area with respect to the inside of the contour (closed loop) is obtained. The third purpose is to enable processing.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a bit for storing the contents of area processing for target image data as area data having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction. In an image processing apparatus that includes a map memory and performs area processing according to the type of area data on a portion sandwiched by area data of the same type in one line, when writing the area data to a bit map memory, Determining means for determining whether or not the area data to be written to the existing area data already written on the bit map, and if the determining means determines to overlap with the existing area data, the existing area data An image including a writing position correcting means for correcting the position of newly written area data in the main scanning direction based on the position of There is provided a management device.

In addition to the above-mentioned structure, when a plurality of areas are designated by a plurality of area data, if there are overlapping areas in the designated plurality of areas,
An image processing apparatus provided with area data selection means for selecting area data having the highest priority as area processing for overlapping areas based on a priority set in advance for each area data.

Further, a bitmap memory for storing the contents of the area processing for the target image data as area data having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction is provided.
In an image processing device that performs area processing according to the type of area data on a portion sandwiched by similar area data in a line, the binarized data of the target image is taken into the bitmap memory, and the bit map memory Contour tracking processing is performed on the above binarized data to extract contour line information, contour line storage means for storing the contour line information extracted by the contour line extraction unit, and the contour line. Area data writing means for clearing the bit map memory after the extraction of the contour line information by the extracting means and writing area data in the bit map memory based on the contour line information stored in the contour line storing means And an image processing apparatus including.

In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, an image thickening processing means for thickening the binarized data is provided, and the binarized data of the target image to be taken into the bitmap memory is This is image data.

Further, when the contour line extracting means extracts the contour line information from the binarized data on the bitmap memory, if the contour line is interrupted on the way, An image existing on a bitmap memory in a predetermined direction and a predetermined range is detected, and the contour tracking process is continued from the detected position.

Further, the contour line extracting means detects the contour length of the contour line when extracting the contour line information from the binarized data on the bitmap memory, and compares it with a predetermined threshold value. When the contour length is smaller than the threshold value, the detected contour line information is discarded, another contour line is newly detected, and the contour line information is extracted.

Further, when the contour line extraction means extracts the contour line information from the binarized data on the bitmap memory, it is determined whether the contour line being traced is an inner contour or an outer contour. If the detected contour is an outer contour, the detected contour information is discarded, another contour is newly detected, and the contour information is extracted.

The area data writing means corrects the writing position so that the writing position is on the contour line when writing the area data in the bit map memory.

[0020]

According to the image processing apparatus (Claim 1) of the present invention, when the area data is written in the bitmap memory, whether the newly written area data overlaps with the existing area data already written on the bitmap or not. If it overlaps with the existing area data, the position of the newly written area data is corrected in the main scanning direction based on the position of the existing area data so that the existing area data is not lost. ， Make sure to store in bitmap memory.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 2)
When multiple areas are specified by multiple area data, if there are overlapping areas in the specified multiple areas, the area for the overlapping areas is based on the priority set in advance for each area data. The desired area processing is realized by selecting the area data with the highest priority as the processing.

An image processing apparatus of the present invention (claim 3)
Captures the binarized data of the target image in a bitmap memory, performs contour tracking processing on the binarized data on the bitmap memory, extracts contour line information, and stores it in a predetermined memory. After that, the bitmap memory is cleared, and the area data is written in the bitmap memory based on the stored contour line information to acquire the inside of the contour line information (in the closed loop) as an area.

An image processing apparatus of the present invention (claim 4)
Corrects the contour line information by performing a thickening process on the binarized data of the target image to be taken into the bitmap memory.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention (claim 5).
When extracting the contour line information from the binarized data on the bitmap memory, if the contour line is interrupted,
An image existing on the bitmap memory in a predetermined direction and in a predetermined range is detected from the position where the contour line is interrupted, and the contour tracking process is continued from the detected position, whereby the contour line information is correctly acquired.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention (claim 6).
Detects the contour length of the contour line when extracting the contour line information from the binarized data on the bitmap memory, compares it with a predetermined threshold value, and when the contour length is smaller than the threshold value, Discards the detected contour line information, newly detects another contour line, and extracts the contour line information to determine the isolated points in the binarized data and acquire the contour line information correctly. To do.

An image processing apparatus of the present invention (claim 7)
Detects whether the contour line being tracked is an inner contour or an outer contour when the contour line information is extracted from the binarized data on the bitmap memory. By discarding the detected contour line information, newly detecting another contour line and extracting the contour line information, a desired closed loop (contour line information) is correctly acquired.

An image processing apparatus of the present invention (claim 8)
When writing the area data to the bitmap memory, corrects the writing position so that it is on the contour line, so that the area is properly learned even near the contour line.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The case where the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine will be described in detail below as an embodiment with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital copying machine to which the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment is applied, which includes an image reading unit 101 for reading a document and outputting raster scan type image data, and area processing. An image processing unit 102 as an image processing apparatus of the present embodiment which performs various image processing;
An image recording unit 103 that outputs image data after image processing to recording paper, a digitizer 104 for inputting coordinates for area designation in area processing, and a system control unit 105 that controls each of the above units.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the image processing unit 102.
A filter processing unit 201 that performs a spatial filter process on the image data input from the image reading unit 101, and the image data input from the filter processing unit 201 is processed in the order of shadowing, hollowing (outline extraction), and negative / positive inversion. A processing unit 202 that performs processing, a halftone processing unit 203 that processes the image data input from the processing unit 202 in the order of density adjustment, dithering, and erasing, and a binary value with a resolution of 400 dpi from the image reading unit 101. Input the digitized data (image data) and convert it to 100 dpi binarized data 400/1
00 conversion unit 204, a bit map memory 205 for storing the contents of the area processing for the image data as area data having a predetermined length (4 bits in this embodiment) in the main scanning direction, and a bit map. Memory 205
Area control unit 2 for controlling writing of area data to the area and controlling area processing based on the area data
06 and a RAM 207 as a contour line storage unit for storing the contour line information extracted by the contour tracking process in the closed loop mode described later.

FIG. 3 shows the data structure of area data used for area processing. In this embodiment, the area data is composed of 4 bits, the first 1 bit is "1" to indicate the start of the area data, and the latter 3 bits can specify 8 types of area numbers. This area number indicates the order of area designation.

Therefore, the coordinates of the first bit of the area data are made to coincide with the coordinates of the bit for starting the area processing of the bit map memory 205, and the area data is written using 4 bits including the first bit. Also,
Since the area data has a length of 4 bits, if the leading bit of the existing area data exists within a range of 3 bits before and after the writing position (coordinates) of the leading bit, the writing position of the area data is It will overlap.

FIG. 4 shows a method of designating an area (area) to be subjected to area processing. As shown in the figure, it is designated in four modes of a rectangular mode, a rectangular polygon mode, a polygon mode and a closed loop mode. Is possible. In the rectangular mode, as shown in (a) of the figure, the designation order of two points (,) is arbitrary, and a rectangle on the diagonal line of the designated two points is input as an area. In the right-angled polygon mode, as shown in FIG. 7B, the position of the starting point () and the specified rotation direction are arbitrary, and the polygons with each point as a right-angled vertex in the specified order (...) Is input as an area. In the polygon mode, as shown in FIG. 7C, the position of the start point () and the specified rotation direction are arbitrary, and a polygon that connects each point with a straight line in the specified order (to) is an area. Is to be entered as. Here, the input of each point is performed via the digitizer 104. The points designated by are called area designation points.

In the closed loop mode, as shown in FIG. 3D, a point in the closed loop (X in the figure) on the original is designated via the digitizer 104, and then the original image is binarized by prescanning. The closed loop is recognized by inputting it as converted data and further extracting the contour line, and the inside of the closed loop is input as an area.

In the above configuration, (1) rectangular mode, right-angled polygon mode, polygon mode area input (2) area data output (3) closed loop mode area input (3-1) start point detection processing ( 3-2) Contour tracking process (3-3) Isolated point / inner closed loop detection process The operation will be described in detail.

(1) Area Input in Rectangular Mode, Right-angled Polygon Mode, and Polygonal Mode FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of area input in the rectangular mode, right-angled polygon mode, and polygonal mode. First, after the area processing is designated through the operation unit (not shown), the digitizer 104 is used to input the coordinates of the area designation points as shown in FIGS. , A region (area) to be subjected to area processing is designated (S501).

The area processing control unit 206 calculates the coordinates of the contour line of the area to be subjected to the area processing based on the coordinates of the area designation points (S502), and based on the obtained coordinates and the designation order of the areas, the bit map. Area data write processing for writing area data to the memory 205 is executed (S503). It is assumed that the bitmap memory 205 has been cleared (all bits are set to “0”) before the area designation is started.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed flow of the area data writing process in step S503. Area processing control unit 2
When writing area data to the bit map memory 205, first, is there any existing area data (area data already written) at the write position of the attention area data to be written on the bit map memory 205? It is determined whether or not (S601). Specifically, since the area data has a length of 4 bits,
It is searched whether or not the leading bit of the existing area data exists within the range of 3 bits before and after the writing position of the leading bit of the attention area data. If the leading bit of the existing area data exists, the writing position of the attention area data , That is, existing area data exists.

If it is determined in step S601 that there is existing area data, the writing position of the area data of interest is within the range of ± 4 dots in the main scanning direction based on the coordinates of the first bit of the existing area data. It is moved to correct the writing position (S602). Here, the correction of the writing position of the attention area data is performed by writing the attention area data with the coordinates as it is, the existing area data is overwritten and the existing area data is erased, or This is because the content of the data may change. The area data is moved in the main scanning direction within ± 4 dots.
This is because it is composed of dots. In this embodiment, the writing position of the attention area data is corrected, but it goes without saying that either the writing position of the attention area data or the writing position of the existing area data may be corrected.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S601 that there is no existing area data, and in step S602.
After the writing position of the attention area data is corrected by, the attention area data is written in the bitmap memory 205 (S603). After that, S601 to S603 are repeated until the writing of all area data is completed, and the processing is completed (S604). The area processing control unit 206
Writes area data by allocating area numbers according to the order in which the areas are specified, and stores the contents of area processing as a table in the internal memory corresponding to the area numbers.

(2) Area Data Output Next, area data output processing by the area processing control unit 206 will be described. The area processing control unit 206
The area data written in the bitmap memory 205 is read line by line (in the sub-scanning direction) and searched one dot in the main scanning direction to detect the area data.
According to the area number in the area data, the contents of the area processing are specified by referring to the table created at the time of writing the area data, and the filter processing unit 201 and the processing processing unit 20 are specified.
2. The halftone processing unit 203 is controlled to execute the image processing according to the content of the area processing.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of area data output processing. First, it is judged whether or not there is area data in which the area (region) overlaps in the target line (1 line) (S701), and the area overlaps. If there is area data, the respective area data (area numbers) are compared, area data having a higher priority is selected for the overlapping portion (S702), and the process proceeds to step S703. Here, the area data having a large area number is an area specified later, and in this embodiment, the priority order of the area data having a large area number is premised on preferentially processing the area specified later. Shall be high.

On the other hand, if there is no area data in which the areas overlap, in step S703, area processing for one line is executed based on the area data.

After that, steps S701 to S7 are executed until all the lines in the bit map memory 205 are completed.
03 is repeated, and the process ends (S704).

(3) Area Input in Closed Loop Mode Next, the area input in the closed loop mode, which is a main part of the present invention, will be described. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of area input processing in the closed loop mode. For area input in closed loop mode, the closed loop mode is specified using the operation unit (not shown), and one point (specified point) in the closed loop on the document is specified.
Is designated via the digitizer 104, and then executed by the area processing control unit 206.

First, the original image is divided into two by prescan.
It is input as digitized data (S801), then the start point (coordinates) of the contour line for detecting the closed loop is obtained by the start point detection processing (S802), and the contour line is extracted by the contour tracking processing (S803). ), In the isolated point / inner closed loop detection processing, after confirming that the contour line is not an isolated point (such as a character) or an inner closed loop existing in the target closed loop (S804), the closed loop area is determined, and the area data is determined. In the writing process, the area data is written in the bitmap memory 205 based on the closed loop coordinates (S
805).

In inputting the binarized data in step S801, the document is pre-scanned and read by the document reading unit 101 as a binarized image (resolution 400 dpi).
An OR process of 4 × 4 pixels is performed via the / 100 conversion unit 204 to convert into binary data of 100 dpi, and the binary data is stored in the bitmap memory 205. As a result, it means that the binarized data is thickened.
Even if there is a line break in the read binary image, the line break width to some extent (maximum line break width of 3 pixels, about 0.178
In case of 5 mm), it is automatically corrected.

(3-1) Start Point Detection Process Next, the start point detection process of step S802 of FIG. 8 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, based on the coordinates of the designated point designated via the digitizer 104, the binarized data of the coordinate position of the designated point is input from the bitmap memory 205 (S901), and it is determined whether the pixel of the designated point is black or not. Yes (S902).

Here, if the pixel at the designated point is black, an error code is output to the system control unit 105 as an error (S903), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the pixel at the designated point is not black, that is, if it is a white pixel, the pixel at the designated point is set as the pixel of interest (S904), and it is determined whether the pixel to the left of the pixel of interest is black. (S905). If the pixel on the left side of the pixel of interest is black, the pixel on the left side is set as the start point, the coordinates are stacked (S906), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the pixel to the left of the pixel of interest is white,
The pixel on the left is sequentially examined until a black pixel is detected. If no black pixel is detected up to the address corresponding to the left end of the A3 size memory (S907), an error code is output to the system control unit 105 (S908). ), The processing ends.

By the above processing, for example, as shown in FIG.
The portion indicated by 1001 in the original image of (a) is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), when it is fetched as binary data in the bitmap memory 205 and the position indicated by x in the closed loop is designated as the designated point, the pixel to the left of the designated point is sequentially examined. , The pixel at the end of the closed loop, which is a black pixel, is obtained as the starting point.

(3-2) Contour Tracking Process Next, the contour tracking process (step S803 in FIG. 8) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the start point is set to the target pixel (S1101), and it is determined whether the pixel on the left of the target pixel is white or black (S110).
2).

If it is a white pixel in step S1102, the first black pixel of eight adjacent pixels is detected counterclockwise starting from the pixel to the left of the pixel of interest (S110).
3). If it is a black pixel in step S1102, the black pixel before the first white pixel of the eight adjacent pixels is detected clockwise starting from the pixel on the left of the pixel of interest as the starting point (S111).
0).

Step S1103 or step S1
If the black pixel detection is not successful in 104, that is, if the eight adjacent pixels are all white pixels or all are black pixels (S1105), an error is output to the system control unit 105 as an error. Output the code (S
1106), and the process ends. However, in this case, a pixel once detected as a black pixel (previous pixel of interest or previous previous pixel of interest) is not detected again as a black pixel.

If the black pixel is successfully detected (S1105), the chain code is obtained from the relative position between the detected black pixel and the target pixel, and the coordinate value of the black pixel and the chain code are used as contour line information. The pixels are stacked in the RAM 207 (S1107), a predetermined counter is counted up, and the total number of pixels after the contour tracking process is started is counted (S1108). Next, the detected pixel is set as a new target pixel (S1109), the steps from step S1102 are repeated until the new target pixel and the start point match, and the process ends when the new target pixel and the start point match. (S1110).

By the contour tracing process, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the designated point is designated in the area inside the closed loop and the start point is obtained from the designated point, the arrow The closed-loop contour tracking is performed as indicated by the direction of travel of, and the closed-loop is acquired as the contour.

However, FIG. 12B or FIG.
As shown in (c), when there is a character or an inner closed loop (closed loop inner closed loop) between the originally desired closed loop and the specified point, the start point detection process detects a character or a black pixel of the inner closed loop. Since it is detected as the start point, there are cases where the contour tracing processing may perform tracing of characters or the contour of the inner closed loop. Therefore, the isolated point / inner closed loop detection process is executed after the contour tracking process to determine whether or not the character and the inner closed loop are detected.

(3-3) Isolated Point / Inner Closed Loop Detection Processing Next, the isolated point / inner closed loop detection processing (step S804 in FIG. 8) will be described in detail.
First, the chain code of the pixel having the same Y coordinate as the start point is detected (S1301), and it is determined whether the chain code is in the downward direction (S1302). Here, when the chain code is downward, the lower right, lower left, and
Indicates that a black pixel has been detected in one of the following directions.
In other words, in order to indicate that the designated point exists outside the detected closed loop, an error code is output to the system control unit 105 as an error (S1303), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the chain code is not in the downward direction, the pixel count value (total number of pixels after the contour tracing process is started: number of contour pixels) is compared with a predetermined threshold value (S1304). If the pixel count value is less than or equal to the threshold value, it is regarded as an isolated point and an error is detected by the system control unit 1.
An error code is output to 05 (S1305), and the process ends.

When no error is detected in the isolated point / inner closed loop detection processing, the area processing control unit 206 determines that the closed loop is correctly detected, first clears the bitmap memory 205, and then the RAM 207. Based on the contour line information stacked in the area, the area data is corrected so that the area data is on the contour line, that is, the first bit of the area data is overlapped with the position of the black pixel on the contour line. Write to map memory 205. The area data writing process at this time is basically the same as the flowchart of FIG.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when an error is detected in the contour tracking processing and the isolated point / inner closed loop detection processing, an error code is output to the system control unit 105 to terminate the processing. In the control unit 206, the position of the pixel of interest for contour tracing may be corrected and the contour tracing processing may be executed again according to the content of the error.

In the contour tracing process of the above-described embodiment, if the black pixels are not successfully detected in steps S1105 and S1106, the process ends as an error, but the original image is thin and binarized. Since the contour line of the data may be cut off in the middle, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, a bit map of a predetermined direction and a predetermined range from a position (a target pixel at that time) at which the black pixel is not successfully detected. A pixel existing on the memory 205 is detected, and when a black pixel is detected, the contour tracing process is continued from the position of the black pixel, so that the contour tracing process is performed when the contour line is cut in a predetermined range. The closed loop can be detected without stopping. In FIG. 14, the pixel detection direction is the forward direction including the left and right of the traveling direction of the past target pixel, and pixels up to three pixels away from the target pixel are detected.

Further, in the contour tracking processing, when the contour line information is extracted from the binarized data on the bit map memory 205, the presence or absence of an image around the pixel of interest and the white / black of the binarized data around the pixel of interest. Area information write prohibition / permission information is generated according to the contour direction before and after the target pixel, and the prohibition / permission information is stored in RAM together with the contour line information.
207, and in the area data writing process,
When writing the area data in the bitmap memory, the writing position of the area data may be corrected based on the prohibition / permission information.

[0065]

As described above, the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a bitmap memory for storing the contents of the area processing for the target image data as area data having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction. An area to be newly written when the area data is written in a bit map memory in an image processing device that performs area processing according to the type of the area data for a portion sandwiched by the same type area data in one line. The determination means for determining whether or not the data overlaps with the existing area data already written on the bit map, and when the determination means determines that the data overlaps with the existing area data, the position of the existing area data is determined. Based on the writing position correction means for correcting the position of newly written area data in the main scanning direction, Intersections and vertices, and also in the proximity of each other area, it is possible to reliably perform the specified area process.

In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, when a plurality of areas are designated by a plurality of area data, if there are overlapping areas in the designated plurality of areas, the area data is set in advance for each area data. Since the area data selecting means for selecting the area data having the highest priority as the area processing for the overlapping area based on the priority order is provided, when a plurality of areas are specified, the area specified later is given priority. It is possible to surely obtain the processed image output.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with a bit map memory for storing the contents of the area processing for the target image data as area data having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction, In an image processing device that performs area processing according to the type of the area data on a portion sandwiched by the same type area data, the binarized data of the target image is fetched in the bitmap memory, and stored in the bitmap memory. Contour tracking processing is performed on the binarized data to extract contour line information, contour line storage means for storing the contour line information extracted by the contour line extraction means, and the contour line extraction means. After the contour line information is extracted by the above, the bitmap memory is cleared, and the error is deleted based on the contour line information stored in the contour line storage means. Since the area data writing means for writing data to the bit map memory is provided, by acquiring the contour line information from the image data read in advance before the area processing, arbitrary area processing can be performed on the inside of the contour (closed loop). Can be given. Further, it is possible to simplify the designation of area processing and improve the usability of area processing.

Further, since the image processing apparatus of the present invention loads the image data after the thickening processing into the bit map memory, even if the contour line of the original image is thin or discontinuous, the contour line is within a certain range. Can be extracted, contour information can be correctly detected, and appropriate area processing can be performed.

Further, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, when the contour line is interrupted when extracting the contour line information from the binarized data on the bit map memory, from the position where the contour line is interrupted, An image existing in the bitmap memory in a predetermined direction and a predetermined range is detected, and contour tracing processing is continued from the detected position. Therefore, even if the contour line of the original image is interrupted, the contour line can be extracted within a certain range. Therefore, it is possible to correctly detect contour line information and perform appropriate area processing.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention detects the contour length of the contour line when extracting the contour line information from the binarized data on the bit map memory and compares it with a predetermined threshold value. If the contour length is smaller than the threshold value, the detected contour line information is discarded, another contour line is newly detected, and the contour line information is extracted. Even if there is an image that is not an image, it is possible to learn correct contour information and perform appropriate area processing.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention, when extracting the contour line information from the binarized data on the bit map memory, determines whether the traced contour line is the inner contour or the outer contour. If the detected contour is an outer contour, the detected contour information is discarded, another contour is newly detected, and the contour information is extracted. Therefore, the contour information is extracted in a closed loop specified as an area in the original image. If there are other closed loops,
You can learn correct contour information and perform appropriate area processing.

Further, since the image processing apparatus of the present invention corrects the writing position so that the writing position is on the contour line when writing the area data in the bit map memory, the image processing apparatus can arbitrarily set the inside of the closed loop according to the obtained contour line information. When performing the area processing of, it is possible to obtain an image output that has been subjected to the appropriate area processing even near the contour line.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a digital copying machine to which an image processing apparatus of this embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an image processing unit that is an image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of area data used for area processing.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of designating an area (area) to be subjected to area processing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of area input in a rectangular mode, a right-angled polygon mode, and a polygonal mode.

FIG. 6 is a detailed flow of area data writing processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an area data output process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of area input processing in a closed loop mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of start point detection processing.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of detection of a start point.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of contour tracking processing.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing contour tracking processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of isolated point / inner closed loop detection processing.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing continuation of the contour tracking processing when the contour line is cut off in the middle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 image reading unit 102 image processing unit 103 image recording unit 104 digitizer 105 system control unit 201 filter processing unit 202 processing unit 203 halftone processing unit 204 400/100 conversion unit 205 bitmap memory 206 area processing control unit 207 RAM

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A portion provided with a bit map memory for storing the contents of area processing for target image data as area data having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction, and sandwiched by area data of the same type in one line. On the other hand, in an image processing device that performs area processing according to the type of the area data, when writing the area data in a bitmap memory, new area data to be written is already written on the bitmap. A determination unit that determines whether or not the data overlaps with the area data, and if the determination unit determines that the data overlaps with the existing area data, the position of the newly written area data is main-scanned based on the position of the existing area data. An image processing apparatus comprising: a writing position correcting unit that corrects in a direction. 2. When a plurality of areas are designated by a plurality of area data and there are overlapping areas in the designated plurality of areas, the areas are overlapped based on a priority order set for each area data in advance. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising area data selection means for selecting area data having the highest priority as area processing for the area. 3. A bit map memory for storing the content of area processing for target image data as area data having a predetermined length in the main scanning direction, and a portion sandwiched by similar area data in one line. On the other hand, in an image processing device that performs area processing according to the type of the area data, the binarized data of the target image is taken into the bitmap memory, and the outline of the binarized data on the bitmap memory Contour line extraction means for performing tracking processing to extract contour line information, contour line storage means for storing contour line information extracted by the contour line extraction means, and end of extraction of contour line information by the contour line extraction means Then, the bitmap memory is cleared, and the area data is stored in the bitmap memory based on the contour line information stored in the contour line storage means. An image processing apparatus comprising: area data writing means for writing. 4. An image thickening processing means for performing a thickening process on the binarized data, wherein the binarized data of the target image captured in the bitmap memory is the image data after the thickening process. The image processing device according to claim 3. 5. The contour line extracting means extracts the contour line information from the binarized data on the bitmap memory, if the contour line is interrupted in the middle, 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an image existing on the bitmap memory in a predetermined direction and a predetermined range is detected, and the contour tracking process is continued from the detected position. 6. The contour line extracting means detects the contour length of the contour line when extracting the contour line information from the binarized data on the bitmap memory, and compares the contour length with a predetermined threshold value. If the contour length is smaller than a threshold value, the detected contour line information is discarded, another contour line is newly detected, and the contour line information is extracted. Image processing device. 7. The contour line extraction means, when extracting contour line information from the binarized data on the bitmap memory, determines whether the contour line being tracked is an inner contour or an outer contour. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the detected contour is an outer contour, the detected contour information is discarded, another contour is newly detected, and the contour information is extracted. . 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the area data writing unit corrects the writing position so that the writing position is on the contour line when writing the area data in the bitmap memory.