JPH0646239A - Picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To output visually one or plural division areas to one paper sheet by controlling the arrangement of division areas of picture information to be generated based on an original according to a direction of the original. CONSTITUTION:An original is placed on an original glass 3 downward, and the reference of placing is at left depth from the front side. The original is pressed onto the original glass 3 by an original cover 4. The arrangement of the division areas of picture information to be generated based on the original is controlled based on at least the direction of the original in addition to other factors. Then each of picture information corresponding to the plural division areas subjected to scaling processing is visually outputted onto other paper sheet. Thus, the state of the original is recognized based on 2 kinds of length ratios and the load of the user is relieved.

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 capable of controlling the arrangement of divided areas of image information to be generated based on a document based on at least the direction of the document.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, there was no idea of recognizing the direction of an original when it is desired to output the image of the original by dividing it into a plurality of images. Further, there is no idea of performing a scaling process on the image information corresponding to the plurality of divided areas and visualizing and outputting the plurality of divided areas to another paper sheet.

[0003]

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention controls the arrangement of divided areas of image information to be generated based on a document based on at least the direction of the original, and sets one or a plurality of divided areas to one.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing device capable of visualizing and outputting on a sheet of paper.

[0004]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a copying machine according to the present invention.
This device is basically composed of two units. A reader A and a printer B. The reader and printer are mechanically and functionally separated, and can be used by themselves. The connection is designed to be made only with an electric cable. The operation unit A-1 is attached to the reader B. Details will be described later.

FIG. 2 shows a structural sectional view of the reader A and the printer B. The original is placed on the original glass 3 face down, and the placement reference is on the left back side when viewed from the front. The original is pressed onto the original glass by the original cover 4. The original is illuminated by the fluorescent lamp 2, and an optical path is formed so that the reflected light is condensed on the surface of the CCD 1 via the mirrors 5 and 6 and the lens 6. The mirror 7 and the mirror 5 move at a relative speed of 2: 1.
This optical unit moves from left to right at a constant speed while applying a PLL by a DC servo motor. This moving speed is 180 mm / sec in the forward path irradiating the original,
The return path is 468 mm / sec. The resolution in the sub-scanning direction is 16 lines / mm. The size of the manuscript that can be processed is from A5 to A3, and the placement direction of the manuscript is that A5, B5, and A4 are vertically placed, and B4 and A3 are horizontally placed. Then, the optical unit is returned according to the document size when the signal VIDEO ENABLE of the reader is counted from the image sensor (described later) and reaches the count value corresponding to the document size.

Next, in the main scanning direction, the main scanning width becomes a maximum A4 lateral width of 297 mm depending on the document placing direction. Then, in order to resolve this at 16 pel / mm, the CCD bit number is 4752 (= 297 × 1).
Since 6) bits are required, two 2688-bit CCD array sensors are used in this device, and they are driven in parallel. Therefore, 16lines / min, 180mm /
From the condition of sec, main scanning cycle (= CCD accumulation time)
Is

[0007]

[Outer 1] Becomes CCD transfer rate

[0008]

[Outside 2] Becomes

Next, referring to FIG. 2, an overview of the printer placed under the reader will be described. The bit-serial image signal processed by the reader unit is input to the laser scanning optical system unit 25 of the printer. This unit is composed of a semiconductor laser, a collimator lens, a rotating polyhedral mirror, an Fθ lens, and a tilt correction optical system. The image signal from the reader is applied to a semiconductor laser and converted into electric light, and the diverging laser light is converted into parallel light by a collimator lens and is irradiated on a polyhedral mirror that rotates at high speed, and the photoconductor 8 is scanned with the laser light. . The rotation speed of this polyhedral mirror is 2,600 rpm. The scanning width is about 400 mm, and the effective image width is 297 mm which is the A4 horizontal dimension. Therefore, the signal frequency applied to the semiconductor laser at this time is about 20 NHz (NRz). The laser light from this unit is incident on the photoconductor 8 via the mirror 24.

The photosensitive member 8 is composed of, for example, three layers of a conductive layer, a photosensitive layer and an insulating layer. Therefore, the process components are arranged which allow it to be imaged. 9
Is a static eliminator, 10 is a static erasing lamp, 11 is a primary charger,
12 is a secondary charging device, 13 is a front exposure lamp, 14 is a developing device, 15 is a paper feeding cassette, 16 is a paper feeding roller, 17 is a paper feeding guide, 18 is a resist roller, 19 is a transfer charging device, and 20 is Separation rollers, 21 is a conveyance guide, 22 is a fixing device, and 23 is a tray. The speed of the photoconductor 8 and the transport system is 180 mm / sec, which is the same as the forward path of the reader. Therefore, the speed at which a reader and a printer are combined to make a copy is 30 sheets / minute at A4. In addition, the printer uses a front-side stencil belt to separate the copy paper that is in close contact with the photosensitive drum, so that the image corresponding to the belt width is lost. If a signal is also added to the width, the toner will be developed, and the toner will stain the messenger belt, which will also stain the subsequent paper. The video electric signal of the print output is cut off at 8 mm. Further, when it is defined that the toner is attached to the leading edge of the copy paper, it causes a jam around the fixing roller, and therefore, the leading edge of the paper is 2 m.
Similarly, the electrical signal is cut on the reader side so that toner does not adhere to the width of m. Next, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the main scanning direction of the reader and printer and the output image. The reader goes from the back side to the front side, and the printer goes from the front side to the back side.

The copying apparatus of this example has intelligence such as image editing, but this intelligence is on the reader side.
The signal read by the CCD is processed, and at any stage when it is output from the reader, a constant speed signal is output with a constant number of bits (4752). As the function of intelligence, 0.5 →
Any magnification in the range of 2.0 times, enlarging / reducing to a specific magnification, trimming function to extract the image only in the designated area, moving function to move the trimmed image to any place on the copy paper, original There is a function to recognize the original placed on the table. Furthermore, it has a composite function that combines these individual intelligent functions. 5 to 7 show these specific examples.

FIG. 5 shows the editing function. (1) shows the document surface, (2) shows the state when copying is completed when only the trimming coordinates are designated, and (3) shows the trimming coordinates designation + movement. When coordinates are specified (however, if the copy paper size is exceeded, an error is displayed), (4) specifies trimming coordinates + movement coordinates + optional magnification (however, if the copy paper size is exceeded, an error is displayed). When (5)
Is trimming coordinate designation + move coordinate designation + reduction of arbitrary magnification, (6) is trimming coordinate designation + AUT
(7) is a copy when O is specified (varies from the reference position in accordance with the cassette size direction at a magnification of 0.5 → 2 times), and (7) is specified when trimming coordinate specification + AUTO specification is performed. The state at the time of completion is shown. The trimming coordinates to be shifted to the moving coordinates are determined based on the coordinate point having the smallest value in the sub-scanning direction.

FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the CCD and the laser in the main scanning direction.

FIG. 7 shows a method of designating trimming coordinates.

If it is one frame surrounded by a straight line, the order of designation is as follows. This coordinate designation is performed using the ten-key pad 108 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the operation unit A-1 shown in FIG. This operation unit is roughly divided into three blocks.
The block on the right is a general-purpose key display unit 100 found in a conventional copying machine. The central block is a function key / display unit 300 for calling and using the copy transmission function which the user has arbitrarily created and registered by the program. The block on the left side is a soft key display section 200 for the user to arbitrarily create a copy / transmission function. The general-purpose key display unit 100 will be described first. Reference numeral 103 is a 7-segment LED display for displaying a desired number of copies set display and a number of copies in the middle. Reference numeral 102 is a warning display such as jam, no toner, no paper, copy interruption, etc. used in a conventional copying machine. Reference numeral 104 denotes a copy density switching lever and a density display obtained thereby. 10
Reference numeral 5 is a selection display for manuscript images having only letters, only photographs, having both letters and photographs mixed, and section paper. These are provided to perform different image processing so that four types of original images can be copied in an optimized form. Reference numeral 106 indicates whether the selected cassette stage is the upper stage or the lower stage. Reference numeral 107 is a display for displaying the size of paper stored in the cassette of the selected cassette stage. Reference numeral 108 denotes a numeric keypad group of 0 to 9 and C, which is used to set the number of sheets on the display device 103 and to enter numerical values (for example, trimming coordinates, movement coordinates, scaling) in the program creation process on the soft key display unit 200. Magnification, destination address designation, etc.) And as the confirmation key for the latter 200 key entries, 109 entries
A key is provided. Reference numeral 110 is an interrupt key for interrupting multi-copy and performing another multi-copy, 111 is a copy / cancel key for stopping the multi-copy of the printer, and 101 is a copy / key for instructing the print start of the printer.
Is the key. 113 is a document image switching key 105, 1
Reference numeral 12 is a cassette stage switching key. Every time the key is turned on, 113 and 112 are selectively shifted from top to bottom. In this function key display portion 300, a cover is structurally detachable in this portion. As described above, one of the arbitrarily created functions is registered in the soft key display section and corresponds to one key of 302, so assign a name to the function created by yourself and press the key 302. It is necessary to write it down. Therefore, after the function is registered, the cover is removed, the name is written on one of the registered keys 302, and the cover is put on again. From the above, function key 302
Since 6 are prepared, the user can register 6 composite functions. When the user creates a function on the soft key display unit 200, a message asking whether or not to register the function on the soft key display unit 202 appears, so if the soft key 201 responds to it, the function display unit 300 will be displayed. 6 of display 303 corresponding to 6 keys
All the pieces blink. This means that the machine asks the operator, "Which function key do you want to register the function?" Therefore, at this time, when the operator presses any key, the indicator corresponding to that key is turned on and the other indicators are turned off. Then, the operator removes the cover, writes the function name on the key, and puts the cover on again. Since the contents registered here are backed up by the battery in the memory, they will not be erased even when the power switch is turned off. A key 301 is a standard mode return key.

The reader unit will be described in detail. FIG. 9 shows a system block diagram of the reader unit. The interface signals with this reader are shown on the right. When connecting to the printer, the connector JR1 is connected to the connector JP1 on the printer side. The timing of the interface signal of JR1 is shown in FIGS. BEAM DET
The ECT signal BD is for synchronizing with the rotation of the scanner when the printer is connected, and corresponds to the tip signal of each line. VIDEO is an image signal, and 4752 pixels each having a width of 55 ns per line are output. However, since one pixel has up to three values, that is, 0, 1/2, and 1 states, 0 has a width L of 55 ns and is 1/2.
Is 27.5 ns in the front width is H and 27.5 ns in the latter half is L,
At 1, the width of 55 ns becomes H.

This signal is output in synchronism with the BEAM DETECT signal when the printer is connected, and is output in synchronism with the internal pseudo signal when it is not (transmission to the other). VIDEO ENABLE is a period signal during which the image data is output in 4752 bits. This is also output in synchronization with BEAM DETECT or an internal pseudo signal. VSYNC is a signal that is output in synchronization with the output of the image front end detection sensor 37b in FIG. 12 and BEAM DETECT or an internal pseudo signal, and means that image data is output from this. The signal width is the same as VIDEO ENABLE. PRINT
The START signal is a paper feed command to the printer side. The time interval between PRINT START and VSYNC is determined by the control circuit (FIGS. 13 and 25) in consideration of the scaling, the magnification, and the trimming area. PRINT END is a response signal from the print side, which is issued when the trailing edge of the copy paper leaves the photosensitive drum and rides on the conveyor belt, and indicates that the printing operation is completed. This detects completion of separation of copy paper, but is issued at sequence timing. The PRINTER CONNECT signal is P
This is output when the RINTER is connected, and this terminal is connected to GND on the printer side. As a result, the print operation state is set.

S. DATA, S.M. CLK, CSC BU
SY and PSCBUSY are serial signal lines for making a protocol (permitting transmission between them, exchanging information such as a signal) between the reader and the printer.

S. DATA, S.M. CLK is 16-bit protocol data and clock, both of which are bidirectional lines. CSC BUSY is output when the reader side outputs data and clock to the line, PS
C BUSY is output when the printer outputs data and clock to the line. Therefore, these are S.
DATA and S.I. It means a line indicating the transmission direction of CLK. See FIG. 11 for the detailed timing.

Returning to FIG. 9, the reader system block will be described. The CCD reading units 501 and 501 'include a CCD, a clock driver for the CCD, a signal amplifier from the CCD, and an A / D converter for A / D converting the same. The control signal to the CCD is generated by the CCD control signal generators 503 and 503 'and the CCD reading unit 5
01, 501 'are supplied to the clock driver. This control signal is generated in synchronization with the horizontal synchronizing signal BD from the printer. Image data converted into 6-bit digital signals are output from the CCD reading units 501 and 501 'and input to the image processing units 502 and 502'. In the image processing units 502 and 502 ', a sampling circuit for sampling the CCD output and controlling the light amount of the light source by the CPU, a shading amount detection circuit for the light source and the lens and its correction circuit, and each main unit for performing the AE function. Peak hold circuit that detects the peak value of light amount in scanning, 6-bit image data after shading correction is completed, the slice level is determined based on the peak hold value or dither pattern of the previous line or the line before the previous line, and binarized or ternary It has a quantization circuit for performing the conversion. The image signals quantized by the image processing units 502 and 502 'are input to the image editing units 504 and 504'. The image editing units 504 and 504 'have a buffer memory for two lines. The capacity for one line is 1
It has a capacity more than twice the number of pixels per line 4752. This is because each pixel data is written in the memory by the double sampling plate at the time of 200% enlargement, so that the data amount is doubled. Also, the reason why the buffer memory for two lines is used is that the memory cannot write and read at the same time. Therefore, when the image data of the Nth line is being written to the first memory, N-th
This is because the image on the first line is read. In addition, a write address counter for writing image data in the buffer memory, a read address counter for reading, and an address selector circuit for switching address signals from the two counters are provided in this portion. The counter uses a parallel load type capable of presetting an initial value, and the CPU loads the initial value into the I / O port. The CPU presets the address value corresponding to the main scanning coordinate in the counter every time the sub-scanning reaches the line corresponding to the trimming coordinate according to the coordinate information designated by the operation unit, thereby enabling the editing of the document information. . There is a coordinate area control counter and a gate circuit for enabling white masking, black masking, white frame trimming, and black frame trimming. There is a joint detection shift register for automatic joining of CCDs. The image data from the image editing unit is first output from 504 and then 50
Since the data is output from 4 ', the synthesizing unit 505 smoothly switches it to form one serial image data. The recognition unit 506 is for detecting the coordinates where the document is placed by pre-scanning the document during the idle rotation period of the printer after the copy button is turned on. In this portion, there are a shift register for detecting 8 bits of continuous white image data, an I / O port, and a main / sub scanning counter. The operation unit 507 includes a key matrix, an LED, a liquid crystal, and a liquid crystal driver. Reference numeral 508 is a DC motor for scanning the optical system.
Reference numeral 09 is a drive circuit thereof. Reference numeral 510 is a fluorescent lamp for illuminating an original, and 511 is a lighting circuit thereof. Reference numeral 512 is a photosensor for detecting that the optical system unit is at the home position, and reference numeral 513 is a photosensor for detecting that the optical system unit is at a position where the leading edge of the document is irradiated. CPU
The unit 514 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a battery backup circuit, a timer circuit, and an I / O interface. The CPU unit 514 controls the operation unit 507, performs the sequence control of the reader according to the operation instruction from the operator, and simultaneously controls the printer by the command. In addition, data is set to various counters in the image processing units 502 and 502 'and the image editing units 504 and 504' prior to or during document scanning in accordance with an image processing command from the operation unit 507. Further, the CPU controls the light amount of the fluorescent lamp lighting device 511 based on the light amount data from the image processing unit before scanning the original, presets speed data to the DC motor drive circuit of 509 according to the magnification command, and controls the image editing unit. Image stitching data from 504 and 504 'are collected and the stitching amount is calculated.

The sequence control will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the scanning optical system of the reader has three position sensors 37a to 37c.
There is an optical system home position sensor (outputting a signal OHP) on the leftmost 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 at a position just at the reference position of the image. When the control circuit detects the sensor 37b, the image data signal (VIDEO,
CLK) and outputs each main scanning cycle (34
Data valid period (VIDEO E at 7.2 μS)
NABLE) is generated. Then, the control circuit starts counting the number of the VIDEO ENABLE signals from the sensor 37b, and when the count value α corresponding to the point corresponding to the cassette size or the scaling of the printer is reached, the optical system forward drive signal is cut off, Switch to reverse drive signal and invert. A PRINT START sensor 37c is provided in the middle of the return path, and when the optical system operates this sensor after reversal, the control circuit determines whether or not the designated number of copies has been scanned, and if it does not match the designated number of copies, the printer is notified. A PRINT START signal for giving the next paper feed instruction is generated. It is necessary to adjust the position of the sensor 37c so that T ₂ in FIG. 13 becomes equal to T ₁ .

/ (Variation) Next, a method of enlarging / reducing the original image will be described with reference to FIG. The basic idea of scaling is D in the sub-scanning direction.
This is to make the speed of the C servo motor 37d variable.
The CPU calculates the speed based on the magnification input by the key, further calculates the PLL frequency corresponding to the speed, and presets it in the I / O latch (1) 58 before scanning. On the return path, a fixed value is set, which returns the optical system at high speed. This is because the value stored in the ROM of the CPU is this I / O
This is done by presetting in the latch (1). Therefore, when magnifying twice, the speed at the same magnification (180 mm / s
ec), it moves at 1/2 speed, and when it reduces to 1/2, it moves at twice 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 according to the magnification. For example, when expanding twice, if sampling is performed at a clock rate twice as high as the CCD clock rate, data can be obtained by 1 bit increase with respect to 1 bit of source information, and when reducing to 1/2 times the CCD clock rate. If sampling is performed at 1/2 the clock rate, it is possible to obtain data in which one bit is thinned out for two bits of source information. The CPU calculates this clock rate based on the input magnification and sets it in the I / O latch (2) 50 before starting the sub-scan. As mentioned above, the CCD has 262
Although it has an 8-bit configuration, there are 36 dummy bits and 2592 effective bits. The drive frequency is 7.569 NHz, and the signal line is the φ ₁ clock line 55.
The clock for scaling the variable frequency is formed by synchronizing the frequency oscillated by the VCO (9) with the PLL 48 based on the same source oscillation as φ ₁ and the value of the I / O latch (2) with φ _2. There is. The 2592-bit analog signal output from the CCD is amplified by the AMP 42 and applied to the AGC (automatic gain control circuit). The AGC 43 detects the white level because the white level changes due to the long-term change in the light amount of the fluorescent lamp, the background of the document, etc., and the white level is clamped so that the relative change amount from that time can be applied to the A / D converter 44. It is a circuit to do. Then, the output of the AGC is converted into a binary 6-bit parallel bit which is A / D converted. On the other hand, the dither ROM 54 is set to output the same weight code (6 bits) at 8-bit intervals in the main scanning direction and at 8-bit intervals also in the sub-scanning direction, and there are 32 types in this 8 × 8 = 64-bit matrix. The weight code of is assigned. Therefore, different weight codes are output by addressing the dither ROM 54 by the 3-bit main scanning counter 51 and the 3-bit sub-scanning counter 52. Further, there are a plurality of combinations of weight codes set in this 8 × 8, and it is considered that the reproducibility of the halftone image can be changed by the combination. The selection of this combination is made by the I / O latch (3) 53, and the preset to this latch is made by the CPU before the sub-scanning is started. The main scanning counter 51 is driven by a φ ₂ clock which is a variable frequency depending on the magnification, and the sub scanning counter 52 is a BEAM D
It is driven by the ETECT signal. Then, the 6-bit weight code from the dither ROM 54 and the A / D-converted 6-bit code are compared by the comparator 47 and binarized to obtain a serial halftone reproducible image signal. There is.

Next, in the circuit of 45, this is again φ _{1 because the} conversion time by A / D conversion differs depending on each bit.
Latch and synchronize with each other. Also, as a matter of course, the address counters of the shift memories 57-1 and 57-2 are operated by φ ₂ clock. As a result, the shift memories 57-1 and 57-2 can store 2592 bits at the same size, 1296 bits at the half size, and 5184 bits at the double size.

The speed of the sub-scanning DC motor 37d is the CPU
The value preset in the I / O latch (1) 58 is VC
It is input to O59, and the oscillation frequency by this is source oscillation and P
It is controlled by being synchronized with the LL 60 and being applied to the servo circuit 61.

FIG. 26 shows a circuit diagram of the shift memory. The shift memory (1) is a static memory in which image data of CCD 1 system is stored. The shift memory (2) is a static memory containing image data of CCD2 system.
It is a memory. The write address counter 63 is an address counter for writing data in the shift memories (1) and (2). The read address counter (1) is an address counter when reading data from the shift memory (1), and the read address counter (2) is an address counter when reading data from the shift memory (2). is there. The address selector (1) is for selecting either the address signal of the write address counter 63 or the address signal of the read address counter (1) to address the shift memory (1). The selector (2) is for selecting either the address signal of the write address counter 63 or the address signal of the read address counter (2) to address the shift memory (2). The shift register 74 is a register for taking out the image data of the CCD1 system by 8 bits from the least significant, and the shift register 76 is a register for taking out the image data of 8 bits from the most significant of the CCD2 system. The F / F 73 is set at the rising edge of the VIDEO ENABLE signal and is reset by the ripple carry of the write address counter 63 to control the period input to the shift register 74 by the F / F.
F / F75 is set at the rising edge of VIDEO ENABLE, and the ripple of read address counter (2)
F / F reset by carry, shift register 76
It is for controlling the input period. The I / O port 72 is an I / O for the CPU to read and confirm how far the write address counter 63 is counted when the write address counter 63 is moved up. I / O register 6
6 to 69 are write address counter 63, read
This is a register for the CPU to give a preset value to each of the address counters 64 and 65. The I / O register 68 is used by the CPU to specify whether the write address counter 63 or the read address counter 65 is up-counting or down-counting, and the address selectors 70 and 71 select which counter value. Or CP
U for specifying, for deciding whether to operate the read address counter (2) with the write clock or the read clock, and for performing the connection test
By giving a signal, the image data for one line is C
This is for the CPU to control so that the CD driver circuit gives it to the shift memory circuit.

14 to 19 illustrate a method of performing image editing in which a trimmed image is scaled to an arbitrary magnification with an arbitrary point as a reference. 14 is the original surface, FIG. 15 is an enlarged view,
FIG. 16 is a shift diagram. The standard method of image editing is to calculate the coordinate value after editing by the coordinate value of the trimming area, the moving coordinate value, and the magnification (FIGS. 14 to 16). That is, the CPU determines the smallest (from the original placement reference) of the coordinate value (x) in the main scanning direction and the coordinate value (y) in the sub scanning direction from the coordinate value of the trimming area, x ₀ ,
Let y ₀ . Since the coordinates are entered by the key in mm units, and because it is 16 lines / mm, the number of lines of the y ₀ coordinate is L
₀ becomes (y ₀ × 16). The information amount I ₀ of the x ₀ coordinate is (x ₀ × 16) (FIG. 14). The CPU determines the minimum x-direction and y-direction from the edited area coordinate values and x
_1, and y ₁ (Figure 16). Read address read from the shift memory based on x ₀ , magnification and x _1.
The preset value of the read start address in the counter is determined (calculation of address A3 in FIG. 16). This point is shown in Figure 2.
2 will be described in detail. This is a shift memory and has (4752 × 2) bits to be subjected to double expansion. When simply enlarged, the information amount I _{1 of the} memory is (x ₀ × magnification × 16) bits. The address A ₁ of the shift memory corresponding to the magnification of the x ₀ coordinate is (A ₁ −I ₁ ). Incidentally, A ₁ is the head address of the memory and is stored in the RAM at the time of 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, the read start address A ₃ of the shift memory is calculated so as to output this enlarged image to x _{1 from} the shift point, which is A ₂ + I ₂ . I ₂
Is the information amount corresponding to the shift coordinate x ₁ and is (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 , the magnification and y ₁ , the above P
The time interval from the generation of the RINT START (paper feed) signal to the start of the optical system or the generation of VSYNC is determined (calculation of L ₃ ). That is, L ₁ -L ₂ corresponds to it. When this difference is + L ₃ , START signal or VSY
With reference to the NK signal, L ₃ × main scanning cycle (347.
2μS) Get out early. When -L ₃ , the START signal or VSYNC signal is output later than the above. START BIT COU for gate only a part of the image data in the main scanning direction in order to output the image only to the editing area
Provide NTER and END BIT COUNTER.
This corresponds to 80 and 81 in FIG. 26, respectively. This is I /
The count data for the gate is preset via O. The flip-flop 82 is set by the count up of the counter 80 and reset by 81. The operation is shown in FIG. The number of lines between the change points in the sub-scanning direction is calculated from the coordinate value of the trimming area and the magnification (FIG. 17).
~ 19). This is done by counting VIDEO ENABLE by the CPU. 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 at the time of scaling (N = M × magnification).

START BIT COUNTER and END at the change points from the x-direction coordinate values after editing
Calculate the preset value of BIT COUNTER and
Set as 1.

Even when the image is output on the entire surface without trimming, this START BIT COUNT
ER and END BIT COUNTER are used to create the leading edge margin and the margin margin. Initialization is the same as above, but after counting 2mm x 16 lines = 36 lines in the leading edge margin, STARTBI is used to avoid the separation belt hanging width.
7.5 mm x 16 bits = 120 for T COUNTER
Set to bit.

FIG. 27 shows a document placed on the document table glass 3 of the reader A. Basically, the placement position is fixed as described above, but it can be placed diagonally as shown in the figure.
In this case, when the main scanning direction is X and the sub-scanning direction is Y, the coordinates of four points (X ₁ , Y
₁ ), (X ₂ , Y ₂ ), (X ₃ , Y ₃ ), (X ₄ , Y
₄ ) Detects by pre-scanning the optical system during the pre-rotation operation of the printer. This makes it possible to determine the size and position of the document. This makes it possible to determine the scanner scan stroke during multi-copy and select a desired cassette. The original cover 4 (FIG. 2) is mirror-finished so that the image data outside the area where the original is placed is always black. In the pre-scanning, main scanning and sub-scanning are performed to scan the entire glass surface, and then scanning for printing is subsequently performed.
This sub-scanning speed is faster than during printing.

The circuit diagram of FIG. 28 shows the logic for detecting the coordinates. Image data VIDE binarized by pre-scan
O is input to the shift register 301 in 8-bit units. When the 8-bit input is completed, the gate circuit 302
Checks if all of the 8-bit data is a white image,
If Yes, 1 is output to the signal line 3. The F / F 304 is set when the first 8-bit white appears after scanning the original. This F / F is reset in advance by VSYNC (image leading edge signal). After that, the next VSYNC
Leave it set until the arrival of. When the F / F 304 is set, the latch F / F 305 is loaded with the value of the main scanning counter 351 (the main scanning counter 51 in FIG. 13 or the dedicated counter) at that time. This becomes the X coordinate value. Further, the latch 306 is loaded with the value of the sub-scanning counter 350 (sub-scanning counter 52 in FIG. 13 or a dedicated counter) at that time. This becomes the Y ₁ coordinate value. Therefore, P ₁ (X ₁ , Y
₁ ) is obtained.

Each time 1 is output to the signal 303, the value from the main scan is loaded into the latch 307. Immediately to this value (the next 8 bits are stored in the clutch 308 by the time they enter the shift register 301. When the value from the main scan when the first 8 bits of white appeared is loaded into the latch 308: The data of the latch 310 (which is set to "0" at the time of VSYNC) is compared in magnitude with the comparator 309. If the data of the latch 308 is larger, the data of the latch 308, that is, the data of the latch 307 is the latch 310. 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 the shift register 301. In this way, the latch 308 and the latch 310 are loaded. If the data of (3) is performed for the entire image area, the maximum value in the original area X direction remains in the latch 310, and the coordinate in the Y direction at this time remains in the latch 311. It will be. This is _{P 2 (X 2, Y 2} ) coordinates.

The F / F 312 is set at the time when the first 8-bit white appears for each main scanning line. The F / F is reset by the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC, set at the first 8-bit white, and held until the next HSYNC. To do. This F / F31
When the value 2 is set, the value of the main scanning counter is latched 31
Set to 3, and load the latch 314 until the next HSYNC. Then, the latch 315 and the comparator 316
Compared in size. A maximum value in the X direction is preset in the latch 315 when VSYNC is generated. 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 the latch 313 is loaded into the latch 315. This operation is performed between HSYNC and HSYNC. When the above comparison operation is performed on the entire image area, the minimum value of the document coordinates in the X direction remains in the latch 315. This is X ₃ . Also, when the signal line 317 outputs, the value from the sub-scan is loaded into the latch 318.
This becomes Y ₃ .

The latches 319 and 320 are loaded with the values of the main scanning counter and the sub-scanning counter at each time when 8-bit white appears in the entire image area. Therefore, when the pre-scanning of the original is completed, the count value at the time when the last 8-bit white appears appears in the counter. This is (X ₄ , Y ₄ ).

The above eight latches (6, 11, 20, 1)
The data lines (8, 5, 10, 15, 19) are connected to the bus line BUS of the CPU, and the CPU reads this data at the end of the prescan. Then, among these data, the areas of X ₂ , X ₃ , Y ₁ , and Y ₄ are discriminated as the original area, and the above-mentioned trimming processing is performed at the time of scanning the original for printing. That the coordinate X ₂ of _{component, X 3, Y 1, Y} 4 of the document dotted line can be recognized rectangular coordinates surrounding the original position P ₁ to P _4, therefore it to sheet size corresponding is at least necessary I understand.

On the printer side, the paper feed control of the registration roller 18 is performed so that the leading edge of the paper and the coordinate Y ₁ 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). In this case, Y is provided between this signal and the signal from the image tip sensor 37b as in the trimming shift. _This is done by providing a time equivalent to ₁ . Since each cassette is loaded with the position corresponding to the reference position SP side of the reader as a reference, the image output is shifted by X _{1 in the} main scanning direction. This is performed by the method of presetting the read address counter as in the case of the trimming shift described above. The control mode described above is selected by the soft key corresponding to the display, but it can also be achieved by providing a dedicated key and inputting it.

By inputting the above-mentioned auto command, this portion can be printed by changing the size to fit the sheet of the cassette. This is because the size signal of the selected cassette of the printer is S.M. DATA
Since it is sent to the reader via the line, the desired copy can be obtained by sequentially performing trimming, shifting, and scaling according to the above-described procedure of FIGS.
That is, auto is the X direction of the cassette sheet as shown in FIG.
Ratios mx and my of X-direction and Y-direction sizes Δx and Δy of the document with respect to Y-direction sizes Px and Py are obtained. Then, the one with the smaller ratio is set in the RAM as a common magnification for X and Y, and the above-described scaling treatment is performed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an auto-variable copy based on one direction of the sheet. As shown in FIG. 30, the auto 2 finds the respective ratios of the document in the X and Y directions with respect to the X and Y directions of the sheet, and sets the X-direction magnification and the Y-direction magnification independently. Therefore, the original image can be copied on the entire sheet. Those auto 1, 2
Can be similarly executed in automatic scaling performed by designating trimming coordinates.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the steps of trimming, scaling and shifting. Only when there was a shift, the treatment was first performed on the points x ₀ and y ₀ (see FIG. 2).
4), when there is no shift (movement) As shown in FIG.
_{0 ', y 0' → x} 5, y 5 by a start bit counter 26, trimming the outside of the control of the end-bit counter can be white. In this case, since the area that can be trimmed is one area surrounded by a straight line, y
A region to be divided into a rectangle in the axial direction is designated by designating two points on a diagonal line with xy coordinates. Let MAX be the three divisions. Enter the unit in mm.

That is, (x ₀ y ₀ , x ₁ y ₁ ) + (x ₂ y
₂ , x ₃ y ₃ ) + (x ₄ y ₄ , x ₅ y ₅ ) are sequentially performed. Even in the case of manual shift or automatic, the coordinate conversion is performed as described above and the VIDEO output is controlled.

In FIG. 26, 90 and 91 are exclusive OR gates for determining the image area, OF is a signal for controlling it, and when it is 1, the inside of the frame determined by the ST counter and EN counter is masked and the outside is the output image. , 0, the inside of the frame is used as an output image and the outside of the frame is masked. Reference numeral 92 is an AND gate for controlling output of the previous image data, 93 is an AND gate for determining whether to output the mask as black or white, and BB is a signal for controlling the AND, and when 1 is black, When it is 0, white is output. Reference numeral 95 designates the image output outputted by the gates 92 and 93 as VIDEO.
Or 94 is an exclusive OR gate for controlling the black and white inversion of the image data, and IN is a signal for controlling it, the original raw image when 1 and the original raw image when 0. Each signal is output after the CPU determines that masking, white, black, or negative input has been made using soft keys.

That is, in the case of the mask signal 1, when the Q of the flip-flop 82 becomes 1 by increasing the ST counter, the gate 9
The output of 0 becomes 0, and the gate 92 does not output until the EN counter is up, that is, until Q becomes 0. That is, it is masked. Instead, since the output of the gate 91 is 1 during that time, when the black / white signal BB is 1, the gate 93 is 1
Therefore, the image output gate 95 outputs 1 continuously. That is, it is masked. Conversely, OF = 1, BB = 0
Will mask you white. When OF = 0, the outputs of the gates 90 and 91 are 1 and 0, respectively, during that period, so BB
= 1 means black outside trimming, OFF = 0, BB = 0
Then, the outside of the trimming becomes white.

31 and 32 are explanatory views for moving a small original or an original trimmed product to the substantial center of the sheet for printing (centering) and C.
It is a control flow diagram by PU. That is, as described above, the maximum and minimum values (TXMAX,
TYMAX), (TXMIN, TYMIN) (1). This can also be set for the coordinate detection described above. Next, the magnification in the X and Y directions that suits the sheet is determined. This is M by the method of subroutine auto AT2
It is obtained as X and MY (2). It should be noted that MX and MY can be determined by the ten keys as described above in order to select an arbitrary magnification in the X and Y directions, or can be determined by the subroutine AT1. Next, the lengths of the sheet in the X and Y directions are set in the RAM as PS-X and PS-Y. This is determined by the data from the printer (3). Moving coordinates TXM and TY for centering using these data
Find M (4). In other words, subtract the scaled length of the trimming width in the X direction from the length of the sheet, and then divide the result by 1 /
Then, the X-direction coordinate TXM is obtained. Similarly, T in the Y direction
YM is obtained. Only when the TXM or TYM is positive is considered valid, and when it is negative, a warning is issued. After that, the method of FIGS. 14 to 25 described above is followed.

33 to 35, a book document placed vertically and horizontally at any position on the platen 3 is left open, the left page or the upper page and the lower page are read independently or continuously to obtain one or more sheets. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram and a control flow diagram of a book mode for printing on two sheets. In the book document placed on the platen, the center stitch is parallel to the sub-scanning direction as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 33 (a) and is parallel to the main scanning direction as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 33 (b). There are cases. After that, FIG.
In FIG. 33 (b), the part above the dotted line (joint) is called the upper page and the lower part is called the lower page. The part on the left side of the dotted line (stitch) in FIG. 33 (b) is the left page, and the right part is the right part. Call it a page.

The following seven modes can be considered in detail in the book mode.

(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 upper page.

(E) Print only the lower page.

(F) Print top and bottom pages on separate sheets.

(G) Print both left and right pages or both upper and lower pages on one sheet.

The above seven modes are displayed on the liquid crystal section 202 by abbreviations or the like and selected and designated by the soft key 201. In the display designation method, (1) (a) to (g) are displayed as separate modes. select. (2) (a) and (d),
(B) and (e) and (c) and (f) are displayed and selected as the same mode. (Or (a) and (e), (b) and (d), and (c) and (f) are in the same mode).

As shown in FIG. 34, regardless of whether the mode display designation method is (1) or (2), when the copy start key is pressed after the mode is set, first a prescan is performed to detect the document coordinates (step 1 ), Book document position (X ₂ , Y
Calculated ₁₎ and size _{(X 3 -X 2, Y 4} -Y 1) ( Step 2), the copy paper size PS-x, and sets the PS-y (Step 3).

In the case where the mode designation method is (1), the following processing is performed immediately after the position and size of the book document are known, according to each of the modes (a) to (g).

When the mode designation method is (2), it is determined whether the original set as described later is in the orientation as shown in FIG. 33A or the orientation as shown in FIG. Processing is performed (steps 12 to 26).

(A) When printing only the left page, first, XMiN of the trimming coordinates is X _Z XMAX is X ₃ , YMi.
N is y ₁ and YMAX is the Y coordinate of the center of the book (y ₁ + y
₄ ) x 0.5 (Step 13, Step 1)
5) The centering described above is performed (step 25). Next, the reversal position of the optical system is set to the reversal position P by adding a slight margin γ to YMAX (step 26). These data are set in the RAM. According to the coordinates thus obtained, the image of the left half of the book document shown in FIG. 33B can be printed at the center of the sheet.

(B) When printing on the right page only, XMi
N and XMAX are the same as in (a), step 13, YM
iN is the Y coordinate of the center of the book (y ₁ + y ₄ ) × 0.5,
After yMAX is set to y ₄ (step 17), the centering described above (step 25) is performed, and then the optical system inversion point P (step 26) is obtained.

(C) When the left and right pages are sequentially printed on different sheets (step 20), the above (a) left page only and (b) right page only are sequentially performed to set data. That is, the data for the second cycle is set for the data of the first page in steps 21 to 23, and the data for the second page is set and stored in steps 24 to 26.

(D) In the case of printing only the upper page, the trimming coordinates yMiN are y ₁ , yMAX is y ₄ , XMiN is X _2, and XMAX is the center of the book (y ₂ + y ₃ ).
After setting to 0.5 (steps 12 and 15), the above-described centering (step 25) is performed. 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 thus obtained, the image of the upper half from the seam in FIG. 33A is printed in the center of the sheet.

(E) In the case of printing only the lower page, trimming coordinates, yMiN and yMAX are the same as in the case of (d), XMiN is the book binding (x ₂ + x ₃ ) × 0.5, and xMAX is X _3. (Step 12, Step 1
7) The above-mentioned centering (step 25) is performed so that the optical system reversal position P is the same as (d) (step 26).

(F) When upper and lower pages are sequentially printed on different sheets, the above (d) only upper page and (e) only lower page are sequentially performed to set data. Ie up and down 2
Cycle data (steps 21 to 23 for the first page data and steps 24 to 26 for the second page data)
Data set).

(G) When printing left and right, or both up and down on one sheet, yMiN
Is y ₁ , yMAX is y ₄ , XMiN is X ₂ , XMAX is X ₃ (step 19), the aforementioned centering is performed (step 25), and the optical system inversion position P is added to yMAX with a slight margin γ ( Step 26) Set these data in RAM. R of data required for printing
As soon as the setting to the AM is completed, the main scan is entered and printing is executed.

In the main scan, printing is performed by performing the preset control of the address counter and the sequence control of the scanner according to the contents of the RAM which has been pre-sent. That is, mode (c), that is, FIG. 33 (b)
When placing a book document and printing two pages in succession, read the image data from the shift memory during both the first scan for printing the left page and the second scan for printing the right page. The preset values for the read address counter, start bit counter, and end bit counter that are controlled are the same, but only when the inversion position of the optical system is the first time.

[0065]

[Outside 3] The second time is Y ₄ + γ, which is different.

On the other hand, in the mode (f), that is, when the book original is placed and the upper page and the lower page are continuously printed for two pages as shown in FIG. 33A, both the first scan and the second scan are optically performed. The inversion positions of the system are equal to Y ₄ + γ, and conversely the preset values for the various counters are different.

The above operation is possible regardless of automatic scaling or manual scaling, and it is also optional to make the outside of the effective image area of the document white or black. In each of the above modes, the image reproduction is performed at an appropriate position by delaying or advancing the scanner start timing or the sheet feeding registration timing on the printer side according to the amount of information by centering as described above. The Y-coordinate of the original can be manually input using the ten-key or size key. The main scanning direction is automatically detected, and only centering is performed by the X coordinate 2 obtained by key input. In this way, the right, left, or upper and lower pages of a book can be printed in real time with proper scaling without moving the book, and the copying operation can be made extremely easy. Further, since it is possible to print on the central portion of the sheet and to arbitrarily store extra information, the copy quality can be extremely improved. Further, the printing can be started before the reading by the reader is completed, and the copying speed can be made extremely high in spite of each editing.

Next, the automatic determination of the placement direction of the book original in the case of the mode designating method (2) will be described.

The length of the selected sheet size in the main scanning direction is PS-X, and the length in the sub scanning direction is PS-Y. On the other hand, the upper and lower page sizes obtained by dividing the detected size of the book document into two parallel to the sub-scanning direction.

[0070]

[Outside 4] And the left and right page size divided into two parallel to the main scanning direction

[0071]

[Outside 5] Ask for. Next, the vertical / horizontal ratio of the size of the upper and lower pages after scaling output

[0072]

[Outside 6] Then, let R be the same for (5) left and right pages.

[0073]

[Outside 7] Is 4R, and (I) 1 < R <4R
(II) R < 1 < 4R (III) R <4R < 1. (However, in the automatic scaling mode, M ×
/ My = 1. (6) On the other hand, for PS-X / PS-y

[0074]

[Outside 8] Can be

[0075]

[Outside 9] Since it cannot be a normal sheet size, the above is omitted. Due to the correlation between the conditions (I), (II), (III) and (1) and (2), the book manuscript on the platen is 14-1a.
It is determined which of the orientations, 14-1b, is placed. Results are shown in FIG. (Steps 7, 8, 9, 1
0, 11).

(I) In the case of 1 < R <4R, even if R = 1 is assumed, 4R = 4 and 4R = 4, which is very different from the vertical / horizontal ratio of the normal sheet size and is not general. Therefore, R is determined, that is, upper and lower pages.

On the contrary, if (III) R <4R < 1, then 4R
Even if it is assumed that R = 1, R = 0.25, and for the same reason as above, 4R, that is, left and right pages are determined.

(II) In the case of R <1 <4R,

[0079]

[Outside 10] When is 4R, that is, the left and right pages

[0080]

[Outside 11] In case of, it is judged as R, that is, upper and lower pages. This is intended to output the longitudinal direction of the document in the longitudinal direction of the sheet and the lateral direction in the lateral direction.

The above determination method is based on the sheet size selected by the operator, but in addition to this, the size (X ₃ -X ₂ ) and (y ₄ -y) of the book document automatically recognized are determined.
_The method of comparing ₁ ) and dividing the longer one into two is simple and effective enough for general books (A, B series LETTER series), and also effective in the automatic sheet selection mode.

Specific examples of the above method will be given below. When printing the left and right pages of a paperback book of about 150 mm x 105 mm on each A4 size sheet in the closed state, if the printer only has an A4 horizontal feed cassette, the operator has the booklet booklet in the main scanning direction. Simply place them on the platen so that they are parallel to each other, and press the copy start key after setting the mode. In this case, the size automatically detected is X ₃ −X ₂ ≈150 mm, y ₄ −y
_{Since 1} ≒ 210 mm, in the case of equal magnification or automatic scaling, the above R
≈0.36 4R = 1.43.

In the case of A4 sheet lateral feed PS-X = 29
7 (mm) and PS-y210 (mm), so PS-x /
Since PS-y = 1.41, it is determined that the pages are right and left according to FIG. 35, and desired prints can be obtained. If the image is of the same size, it will be printed in the center of the sheet by the above-mentioned centering and no black frame will appear around it, and if the image is automatically magnified, it will be enlarged to 200% per A4 sheet.

If the printer has only the A4 vertical feed cassette, the operator places R = 0.7 and 4R = 2 at any position on the platen so that the binding edge of the paperback book is parallel to the sub-scanning direction. .8, PS-x / PS-y =
This is 0.7, and this time it is determined to be the upper and lower pages, and the desired print can be obtained.

As described above in detail, according to this embodiment,
The arrangement of the divided areas of the image information to be generated based on the original may be controlled based on at least the orientation of the original, although other elements may be included. In other words, it became possible to control how to divide. Further, it becomes possible to visualize and output each of the image information corresponding to the plurality of divided areas to which the scaling processing is performed, to another paper sheet.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the state of the original can be recognized based on the length ratio of the two types of originals, and the operation of the user can be reduced.

[0087]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the arrangement of the divided areas of the image information to be generated based on the original is controlled based on at least the direction of the original, and one or a plurality of divided areas are formed. It has become possible to provide an image processing device capable of visualizing and outputting on one sheet.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a copying apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a structural cross-sectional view of a reader and a printer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main scanning direction of a reader and a printer and an image to be output.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main scanning direction of a reader and a printer and an image to be output.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a composite function in which intelligent functions are combined.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a composite function in which intelligent functions are combined.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a composite function in which intelligent functions are combined.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a detailed view of an operation unit.

FIG. 9 is a system block diagram of a reader unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a timing of an interface signal of a connector.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a timing of an interface signal of a connector.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a sensor on a scanning optical system of a reader.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a method of enlarging / reducing a document image.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state of trimming.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing how trimming is performed.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing how trimming is performed.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing how trimming is performed.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing how trimming is performed.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing how trimming is performed.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing count data.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing points of a read start address.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the procedure of trimming, scaling, and shifting.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the procedure of trimming, scaling, and shifting.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the procedure of trimming, scaling, and shifting.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a circuit relating to a shift memory.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a document placed on the platen glass 3.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a coordinate detection circuit diagram.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for detecting the size ratio of a cassette and a document.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart for detecting the size ratios of the cassette and the document in the X and Y directions.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of centering.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of centering.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of a book mode.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of a book mode.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram of a book mode.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of a book mode.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A recognition unit for recognizing a direction of a document, a control unit for controlling an array of divided areas of image information to be generated according to the document based on the direction of the document recognized by the recognition unit, An image processing device, comprising: an output unit that visualizes and outputs one or a plurality of the plurality of divided areas onto one sheet.