JPH07143329A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the unnatural additional images at an overlapping part of print areas by providing such a circuit constitution that enables a user to select an optimum synthesization mode according to an original and can output with preference one of both overlapping print areas for the additional images. CONSTITUTION:This image forming device is provided with a device which optically scans the image information on the original set on a platen and converts the optical signals into the electric signals by a photoelectric transducer, a 1st storage means 22 which stores the characters, symbols, etc., that are added to the original image, and the 2nd storage means 25A and 25B which store the image data obtained by editing and evolving the characters, symbol, etc. The original image is synthesized with the additional images. Furthermore a means is added to decide whether all additional image data should be outputted with preference or only the pixels that include the print data should be outputted with preference among those additional image data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention optically scans image information of a document placed on a document loading table, and newly converts image data into document image information converted from an optical signal to an electrical signal by a photoelectric conversion element. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of adding a.

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of a conventional additional image generating device, and FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a conventional additional image generating unit. The image data to be added is stored in the first storage means 22 as print data. When the output of the additional image is instructed by the user interface (UI) 40 or the like, the CPU 21 reads the specified additional image data from the first storage unit 22, edits it, and then edits the second storage unit 2.
5 is expanded as bitmap data. Further, the additional image output position designated by the position designation means such as a UI / editor pad is input to the address controller 24 as an XY coordinate value on the paper. After the above work is completed, the address control unit 24, which receives the print start signal, starts counting the clocks. The main scanning side counts the video clock, the sub-scanning side counts the line synchronization signal, and when the count value coincides with the image output position, the count of the address counter supplied to the second storage means 25 starts. The lower part of the counter is counted up by the video clock and the upper part is counted up by the line synchronization signal, and the additional image is output from the second storage means 25. The ratio of upper / lower address output is determined by the size of the designated additional image area. The output image data is subjected to processing such as parallel / serial conversion, and then combined with the read image data in synchronization with the video clock. The composite image is the image recording unit 3
0 to be recorded on the image recording member as one system of video output. Further, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing devices, an image forming process is performed a plurality of times for each developing device, and an electrostatic latent image formed on a recording material is transferred to a sheet a plurality of times, so that an additional image of a plurality of colors is formed. It was recorded on paper.

[0003]

The conventional method of synthesizing an additional image and an original image is as follows: 1) Is an additional image selected and output in the additional image area as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-150972? 2) As shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-466, the original image and the additional image are combined by exclusive OR, or 3) simply ORed and combined,
However, in the case of 1), the original image is erased in the area where there is no additional image in the additional image area. In the case of 2), the additional image changes when the additional image and the original image overlap. In the case of 3), it is difficult to identify the additional image depending on the original image. There was such a problem.

In addition, in the conventional additional image function of the image forming apparatus, since many apparatuses output one function only on one place on the paper, the print areas overlap when the additional image is output at plural places at the same time. The processing of parts was not considered. Further, the size / color / printing density of the additional image cannot be independently set for each additional image.

Further, the conventional method of designating the output position of the additional image is to designate a predetermined fixed position on the UI, or
Whether the coordinates on the paper are designated by an editor pad or the like as disclosed in JP-A-63-246974, or the coordinates are directly designated on the UI as disclosed in JP-A-2-213274. However, the output position cannot be adjusted when the position is fixed, and the editor pad has a special device, which increases the cost. When specifying the coordinate values directly on the UI, the coordinates There was a problem that it was complicated to obtain the value from the paper.

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to enable the presence / absence, overlap, size, and position of additional information to be arbitrarily designated.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention optically scans image information of a document placed on a document loading table and photoelectrically converts an optical signal into an electrical signal by a photoelectric conversion element. An apparatus for converting, a first storage means for storing images such as characters and symbols to be added to the document image, and a second storage means for storing image data obtained by editing and developing the characters and symbols. The document image and the second
In an image forming apparatus for synthesizing image data in the storage means and outputting the same on a recording sheet, when synthesizing the original image and the additional image, all the image data to be added is preferentially output, or
A means for selecting whether to preferentially output only pixels having print data among the image data to be added is provided. It is possible to provide a plurality of the above-mentioned second storage means and to provide a means for preferentially outputting one image data when the image data to be added overlap each other.

Further, a plurality of the second storage means are provided, and the position / color / density / of image data to be added independently to each storage means.
Means can be provided that can change size / direction.

Furthermore, the information for determining the output position of the additional image is a plurality of pieces of location information on the sheet shown on the operation unit screen and fine adjustment information in the main scanning / sub scanning direction. be able to.

[0010]

In the present invention, the circuit for preferentially outputting the additional image in the additional image area and the circuit for preferentially outputting the original image for the portion in the additional image area having no print data of the additional image And a configuration in which any one of the above circuits can be selected by designation from the UI,
The user can now select the most suitable composition mode according to the manuscript.

Further, when the print areas of the additional images overlap, one of the print areas is preferentially output so that the additional images do not become unnatural at the print area overlapping portion.

Further, the circuit configuration is such that the color / density / size / direction of the additional image can be set for each additional image area.

Further, the output position of the additional image is determined by a plurality of pieces of fixed position information on the sheet indicated by the UI and fine adjustment information in the main scanning / sub scanning direction. The output position can be set accurately with a simple operation.

[0014]

FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of the present invention. The present invention optically scans a document placed on a document loading table, converts image information of the document into an analog electric signal by a photoelectric conversion element 11 such as a CCD (charge coupled device), and further, A / D
An image reading unit 10 that performs processing 13 such as image quality correction / image editing on the image information converted into a digital signal by the conversion element 12, and a user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as UI) for a user to specify an operation mode of the entire apparatus. Abbreviated)
The designated image data is read from the first storage means in which font data such as 40, characters, symbols, etc. are accumulated, expanded on the second storage means, and synchronized with the clock of the image reading unit from the second storage means. Output and image reading unit 1
An additional image generation unit 20 for combining the image data from 0,
After drawing a design portion of a designated color on the photoconductor, developing with the designated color toner, and then drawing the background portion of the black image and then developing with the black toner, two colors are developed in one image recording step. It is divided into an image recording unit 30 which prints and records the composite image data on a sheet.

Each block will be specifically described below in order based on an embodiment of the present invention.

A. Image reading unit 10 For the configuration of the image reading unit 10, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-105.
Since it has been described in the image processing device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 68, it will not be described in detail here. The image reading unit 10 forms a document image by optical means, a CCD 11 for line-scanning the image, an A / D converter 12 for A / D converting an output of the CCD 11, and an A / D converted image signal. Image processing / image editing unit 1 for processing and editing
3. A document detection / region detection unit that detects the size of a document or a region on the document designated by an edit marker based on the A / D converted image signal, and the image processing / image editing unit 1
3 and a CPU 14 for instructing the operation of document detection / area detection.

B. Additional Image Generation Unit 20 As shown in FIG. 2, the additional image generation unit 20 includes a CPU 21 for controlling the entire additional image generation unit 20 and a first storage unit 22 in which font data such as characters and symbols are accumulated. Second storage means 25A, 25B, second storage means 25A, for storing image data obtained by editing and expanding characters, symbols, etc.
25B, address control units 24A and 24B for generating addresses in synchronization with the clock of the image reading unit 10 according to the size of the image area, and the second storage unit 2.
Image data output from 5A and 25B are subjected to parallel / serial conversion, and additional image generators 26A and 26B for adding color data and 8-bit density data according to the contents of the mode setting register 23, the additional image and the read image are added. An image synthesizing unit 27 for prioritizing output according to the contents of the mode setting register 23, and a mode setting register unit 23 for setting the print position and print mode of the additional image. The present invention has two address control units 24A and 24B, two additional image generation units 26A and 26B, and two second storage units 25A and 25B, so that independent images can be added at two locations on the paper. Has become. Hereafter, these are abbreviated as function A section and function B section, respectively.

The CPU 21 periodically communicates with the system side CPU 14 and receives information necessary for generating an additional image from the system side. As shown in FIG. 9, the communication contents include an instruction to develop an additional image, status information on the system side, control and paper information indicating the selected paper type, main / sub-scan print margin information for fine adjustment of the additional image output position. , Page number information and last page number information used when adding a page number, number information used when adding a copy number, gap length information between the first and second exposure lasers (above function A section, function B section common information) , Additional image mode information indicating the type and direction of the additional image, printing position, color of the additional image,
It is composed of additional image parameter information indicating the density, size, etc. (above function A section, function B section independent information). After confirming the control word indicating that it is the information of the additional image generating unit 20, the additional image generating unit CPU 21 fetches the above communication contents, further confirms by the checksum that there is no failure in communication, and then confirms the communication contents. Enter the check. If there is no instruction to expand the additional image, it will be in a standby state until the next reception. When there is an instruction to expand the additional image, the additional image generation unit CPU 21 expands image data corresponding to the type and direction of the additional image instructed from the first storage means 22 on the second storage means 25A and 25B. Further, the output start position of the additional image is obtained from the output position, the margin information and the paper information, and the output end position is obtained from the result and the type and size information of the additional image as XY coordinate values on the paper, respectively. The color, density and size of the additional image are determined and written in the mode setting register of the additional image generating unit 20. The above processing is performed for each of the functions A and B. J above
After the end of OB, a trigger signal from the system side CPU is received, and the actual output of the additional image JOB is started. FIG. 23
Shows the flowchart up to the output of the additional image.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the address control section 24. The main scanning counter 241 counts the video clock or its divided clock for each line, and the count value of the main scanning counter 241 and the value of the additional image output start position in the main scanning direction set in the mode setting register 23 are set. When they match, the main-scan count enable signal becomes "H". When the count further progresses and the count value matches the value of the additional image output end position in the main scanning direction set in the mode setting register 23, the count value becomes “L”. The counting in the sub-scanning direction is the same as that in the main scanning except that the clock source is changed from the video clock to the line synchronization signal. Since the clock frequency of the count in the sub-scanning direction is lower than that in the main scan, it may be possible to count by the CPU without using hardware such as a counter. In this case, the hardware can be reduced. Also in this embodiment, the sub-scanning print enable signal SSC
The ENH is generated by the CPU. When the main-scan / sub-scan print enable signal becomes "H", the count of the address counter to be output to the second storage means 25 in which the additional image is developed is started. The address counter is divided into an upper address and a lower address. The upper address counter 242 counts a line sync signal and the lower address counter 243 counts a clock obtained by dividing a video clock. The frequency division ratio of the clock is determined by the size of the additional image and the data structure (described later) on the storage means.
If output at 0 spi resolution, size is 100%
The time division ratio is VCLK ÷ (8 bits ÷ (400 spi
(Original reading resolution) / 200 spi)) is divided by 16. When the frequency division ratio is n, the frequency division ratios at the time of 200% and 50% are 2n and n / 2, respectively.
When the data structure has color information, the ratio of print data in one data is halved, so the frequency division ratio is 50% /
100% / 200% gives n / 4, n / 2, and n, respectively. The upper bits of the output of the lower address counter 243 and the lower bits of the output of the upper address counter 242 are assigned to the outputs of the upper and lower counters by the middle address selector 244 (how many lower bits of the address given to the second storage means are stored in the lower counter). Output or) is performed. This is because the print area in the main scanning / sub scanning direction of the additional image differs depending on the type and direction of the additional image. The output allocation of the selector is determined by the CPU according to the type and direction of the additional image and set in the mode setting register 23. The address generated as described above is output via the selector 245 to the second storage means 25 in which the additional image is expanded.
An address bus of the CPU is connected to one input of the selector 245, and the CPU transfers the second memory from the first storage means 22 to the second memory.
When the image data is expanded in the storage means 25, the CPU address bus is connected to the second storage means 25 via the selector 245.
Is output to. Second storage means 2 receiving the above address
Image data corresponding to the address is output from 5 and taken into the additional image generating unit 26.

Next, the additional image data will be described. The additional image data according to the present invention has two data structures and is stored in the first storage means 22.

1. Configuration of Print Data Only In the data configuration of FIG. 24A, 1 bit in 1 byte corresponds to 1 pixel of the additional image. A pixel of "1" means print data.

2. Data Structure Having Color Information In the data structure shown in FIG. 24B, the lower 4 bits in one byte are print data and the upper 4 bits are color data. Correspondence is D0-CF0, D1-CF1, D2-CF
2, D3-CF3. If Dn is "1" and the corresponding color data is "0", the pixel is black data,
"1" means color data. In this embodiment, the data structure having the color information is the color information data corresponding to the print data, but a structure having black print data and color print data as shown in FIG. 24C is also conceivable. in this case,
Each color is printed with "1".

Although the data length is 8 bits in this embodiment, it may be 16 bits or more. In that case, the data length of the P / S register and the P / S conversion interval have values according to the data length.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the additional image generator 26. The image data taken in by the additional image generation unit 26 is P / S (parallel in / serial out = Para).
llel In / Serial Out) registers 261, 262, 263
Thus, the parallel data is converted into serial data. The P / S register has 8-bit P / S 261, 4-bit P / S (upper image data) 262, 4-bit P / S
(Lower image data) 263, each of which is synchronized with the above-described lower address counter count clock
The output from the storage means 25 is fetched and converted into serial data. The serial data is converted from the data structure of the additional image and the color information set by the mode register into the print data of the additional image and the data indicating the corresponding color information by the selector in the subsequent stage. The output of the selector 264 indicates density data of the additional image, the output of the selector 265 indicates a flag indicating that the additional image is black data, and the output of the selector 266 indicates a flag indicating that the additional image is color data. There is. Hereinafter, each case will be described.

1) When the data structure of the second storage means 25 is a structure having color information: The outputs of the 4-bit P / S registers 262 and 263 are valid. The upper (printing) 262 of 4-bit P / S is selected by the selector 267 and then selected by the selectors 264, 265, 2
66, 4-bit P / S lower order (color information) 263 is input to selectors 265 and 266. The selector 264 outputs the value (8 bits in this embodiment) set in the density setting register 268 when the output of the selector 267 is "1" (print data exists), and outputs "0" when it is "0". Output. The outputs of the selectors 265 and 266 are determined by the color mode set in the mode register 269. When the color mode is two colors, the lower output of 4-bit P / S is valid and the lower order of 4-bit P / S is output as it is to the selector 266. Further, the selector 265 selects the selector 267.
Is "1" and the lower output of the 4-bit P / S is "0", "1" is output. That is, if the print data is "1" and the corresponding color data is "0", the black flag is "1", the color flag is "0", and the color data is "1".
Then, the black flag is "0" and the color flag is "1". When the color mode is all black or all colors, only the output of the selector 267 is valid. When all black, the output of the selector 266 is always “0”, and the output of the selector 265 is the selector 267.
Is output as is. That is, the black flag is "1" only when the print data is "1", and the color flag is always "0". In the case of all colors, on the contrary, the output of the selector 265 is always “0”, and the output of the selector 266 is the same as that of the selector 267. That is, only when the print data is "1", the color flag is "1" and the black flag is always "0".

2) When the data structure of the second storage means is only print data: The output of the 8-bit P / S register 261 becomes valid. 8
The output of the bit P / S register 261 is selected by the selector 267 and then input to the selectors 264, 265, 266. The outputs of the selectors 264, 265 and 266 are the same as in the case of the configuration having color information. However,
Since there is no color information in this data structure, the color mode is 2
In the case of color, it is impossible.

As described above, the additional image data converted into the 8-bit density data and the 2-bit color flag by the additional image generating section is sent to the image combining section with the original image.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are block diagrams of the image synthesizing section of the function A, and FIGS. In the image synthesizing unit, the additional image generated by the additional image generating unit and the image data from the image reading unit are preferentially output according to the contents of the mode setting register. Output selection can be divided into the following four cases.

1) Output selection when combining additional image and original image 2) Selection of background when combining additional image and original image 3) Output selection when outputting entire additional image 4) Function A. Output selection when B image is combined 1) Output selection of additional image and original image Output selection is SEL0, SEL1, as shown in FIGS.
This is performed by three control signals of SELF. The control signal is an additional image output enable signal A as shown in FIG.
NTENH, background selection signal ANBGPR, L of additional image
SB data ANTD0, function A additional image output area signal ANTERHA, function B additional image output area signal ANT
It is generated from ERHB and the full-screen additional image output signal AEAMH. ANTENH, ANBGPR, AEA
MH is set by the mode setting register, and
RHA, ANTERHB, and ANTD0 are sent from the additional image generator. Further, ANTHERHA / ANTERHB is a signal indicating the additional image area of the functions A and B, respectively, and is "1" in the area. The output of the additional image is basically such that when the additional image output enable signal and the additional image output area signal are both "1", the gate of the control signal is opened and the output of the additional image is enabled. In other cases, the control signal output is always "0", and the original image is selectively output.

2) Background selection at the time of combining the additional image and the original image In the state of 1), the background selection signal ANBGPR is "0".
In the case of "SEL1, SEL1 becomes" 1 ", and the output of the selector 277 is selected. The input of the selector 277 is the density setting value of the original image and the additional image, and the LSB of the additional image is selected.
When the data is "1" (there is additional image data), the density set value of the additional image is output, and when the data is "0" (there is no additional image data), the read image is output. That is, when the additional image output data is "0", the read image is preferentially output regardless of whether the additional image area is inside or outside.
In the present embodiment, this is referred to as the "composite mode" of the additional image. Next, when the background selection signal ANBGPR is "1",
SEL1 becomes "0", and the output of the selector 276 is selected. The input of the selector 276 is the original image and the additional image data. In the additional image output enable state, the selection signal SEL0 is "1" and only the additional image data is output. In the present embodiment, this is referred to as the "overwrite mode" of the additional image. FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the original image and the additional image according to the background selection signal ANBGPR.

3) Output selection at the time of outputting the entire surface added image When the background entire surface of the original image is decorated with a pattern or the like,
Unlike 2), it is necessary to preferentially output the original in the portion where the original has an image. In this embodiment, the background selection signal ANB
GPR is set to "0", and full-screen additional image output mode AEA
This is realized by setting MH to "1". In this case, SEL1 becomes "1" and the additional image density setting value is output only when the additional image data is "1" and the additional image density is higher than the original image density. FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the read image and the additional image by the full-face additional image output signal AEAMH.

4) Output selection when synthesizing images of functions A and B As shown in FIG. 2, this embodiment has functions A and B and two additional image generators, so that additional images of functions A and B are added. Although the same output position designation is prohibited on the UI so that the areas do not overlap, a part of the additional image area may overlap depending on the size / output position of the additional image. In addition, in the above-described full-face additional image mode, the additional image areas are inevitably overlapped with each other, and the images in the overlapped portions are unnatural. In the present invention, when the additional image areas overlap,
The unnaturalness is solved by preferentially outputting the function A and outputting the function B only when the function A is not outputting. 7 and 8, ANTERA is a function A additional image output signal, and "1" indicates that the additional image is being output. ANTER
When HA is "1", selectors 271B, 272B, 2
75B is "0" output, and SEL0, SEL1, SE
Since the gate of LF is turned off to select the original image and the output of the selectors 271B, 272B, 275B is selected, the output of the function B section is always "0" output during the output of the function A. In Figures 5 and 6, ANTHERB is function B.
It is an additional image output signal. In Function A section, ANTERHA
Is "0" and the output of ANTERHB is "1",
That is, the function A outputs "0" only when the function A is not outputting and the function B is outputting. FIG. 12 shows the relationship when images of functions A and B are combined.

As described above, the additional image generated by the additional image generating section is combined with the original read image in any one of the above four cases and is sent to the image recording section 30.

C. Image recording unit For the configuration of the image recording unit 30, see JP-A-3-10568.
Since it has been described in the image processing apparatus described in the publication, it will not be described in detail here. The image recording unit 30 includes density information and color identification information, and inputs the image signal output from the load image generation unit for each pixel,
CPU based on the operation of the user interface unit 40
According to the instruction from 14, that is, binary recording, gradation recording, two-color recording, single-color recording, etc., the two raster scanners as the first-color printing and the second-color printing sections are respectively driven, and A latent image is formed on a photoconductor as a material, and the latent image is visualized by a developing device of a developing color corresponding to each latent image, and then transferred to a sheet for recording.

D. Method of Specifying Additional Image Output on UI A configuration example of the UI unit will be described with reference to FIG. This figure shows the UI unit (console panel) during standby of this apparatus. Except for keys for performing a basic copy operation, various modes and parameters for the image reading unit, additional image generating unit, and image recording unit are set on the LCD touch panel screen in the center of the figure. The output designation method of the additional image in the present invention will be described below. When outputting the additional image, the screen of the additional image is selected on the LCD screen. Screens of additional images are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The mode of the additional image realized by the present invention is displayed on this screen. The mode of the additional image will be briefly described.

1) Page Mode A mode in which a page number is added to a document read image in conjunction with a document feeder or the like.

2) Stamp mode The image to be added is selected from the symbols such as "confidential", "reference", "copy prohibited" etc. stored in the first storage means and added to the original read image. Mode to do. The symbols are standard equipment.

3) Duplication management mode A mode in which, when a plurality of originals are copied, a copy number is added to the original read image for each collation.

4) Registered Logo Mode A mode in which an image newly created for an individual user is added to the original read image instead of the standard symbol used in the stamp mode.

The user selects a mode on the screen.
When the page mode is selected here, the screen becomes the page mode screen. Here, parameter settings such as page type selection, print color selection, print position / print direction selection (described later), and final page number input are performed. If you want to change the last page number, select "Change number" and enter a new last page number. If there is no change in the settings, select "End" for each screen, and if there are changes, select "Cancel" and set the parameters again.

After the above work is completed, the screen returns to the first screen, and in the automatic mode, the number of copies is input. In the case of not in the automatic mode, after inputting the copy magnification, the paper size, the copy density, etc., the print is started and the above-mentioned designation is made. The added image is printed and recorded at a designated position on the paper.

D. Data Structure of Additional Image Memory and Area Size Information Although the present invention has four additional image modes as described above, the memory size and data structure of the additional image memory are different in each mode, and even in the same mode. The data structure and area size will be different. For example, in the stamp mode, the memory size of one pattern is 8 Kbytes in the present invention, but the resolution of the stamp is 20 Kbytes.
When 0 spi, the area size is 8 Kbytes and the area size is 10.
It becomes 24 mm2. This is the total area size, and the aspect ratio naturally varies depending on the pattern or the direction of the pattern. For example, in the stamp pattern shown in FIG. 20, "secret" has an area size of 32 mm x 32 mm, "copy prohibited" has a size of 16 mm x 64 mm, and the same "prohibited copy" has a width of 64 mm x 16 mm. By the way, as described in the additional image generation section, it is necessary to change the upper / lower ratio of the addresses to be output to the additional image expansion memory (second storage means) depending on the area size. When the data structure of the stamp pattern has color information, the output of the 4-bit P / S register must be validated by the additional image generator. In the present invention, the data structure and area size information of the stamp pattern and the registered logo pattern are stored in the head address of each pattern in the additional image memory (first storage means), so that the mode / pattern of the additional image can be changed. The same process is performed without depending.

FIG. 20 shows an example of the memory map and the data structure of the head address in the stamp / registered logo in the present invention.
The FONT ROM is a memory in which character fonts are stored, and the WorkRAM 1.2 is a memory (second storage means) for editing and expanding the characters and patterns, Program.
The mROM is program data for controlling the entire image generation unit. When the stamp / registered logo is designated in the mode, the CPU loads the designated pattern into the expansion RAM for the memory size determined in each mode. Next, the head address of the expansion RAM is accessed to identify the area size and data structure of the loaded pattern and set it in the mode register of the additional image generator.

E. Method of Specifying Additional Image Output Position The additional image output position in this embodiment is determined by the following two pieces of information.

1) Predetermined fixed position information on the paper.

2) Main scanning / sub scanning margin information for fine adjustment of output position.

FIG. 16 shows an example in the "page mode".
When "Position" is selected on the page mode selection screen, the "Position" screen appears on the screen, and the user selects the output position from the screen. In the case of the present embodiment, nine positions on the paper can be specified, and the position numbers on the screen indicate the following positions on the paper, respectively.

1. Starting end / outside 2. Starting end / center 3. Starting edge / inside (register position on platen) 4. Center / outside 5. Center / Center 6. Center /
Inside 7. End edge / outer side 8. End edge / center 9. End end / inside The output position is roughly determined by the above specifications. In the present embodiment, fine adjustment of the output position can be performed by adding main scanning / sub scanning margin information in addition to the fixed output position. 17 to 19 show a procedure for performing fine adjustment on the UI. When performing fine adjustment, the user selects "specification / toner" on the UI and "adjustment" on the screen. Since the additional image adjustment items include mode / density / size / fine adjustment, “fine adjustment” is selected. Main scan on this screen (up and down)
/ Select sub-scanning (left and right) and enter the margin (mm) with the numeric keypad. After the above, the UI sends the output position information and the margin information to the SYSTEM side. Upon receipt of this information, the SYSTEM side adds paper size information and then transmits it to the image generation unit side. The image generator receives this information and calculates a specific output position. For example, the user now selects the output position in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 26, the main scanning margin and the sub-scanning margin are each input as 10 mm, and the paper is A4LEF.
When (297 × 210) is selected, the output start position is determined by the output start position on the main scanning side = (297 mm−10 mm−main scanning print area width), and the output start position on the sub-scanning side = 10 mm of the sub-scanning margin. . When the output position is, the output start position on the main scanning side = main scanning margin 10 mm, the output start position on the sub-scanning side = (210 mm-10 mm-sub-scanning print area width).

F. Designation of additional image output direction As shown in FIG. 27, the additional image output direction for the paper in this embodiment is horizontal (upward) with respect to the paper conveyance direction.
And a vertical (sideways) direction, which are selected by the UI depending on the orientation of the document. FIG. 16 shows an example of designation on the UI screen. On the "position" screen, the output position and the orientation of the character are selected, and the user selects the orientation of the character according to the orientation of the document. The additional image generation unit receives the output direction and changes the expansion order of the additional image data in the RAM.
FIG. 28 shows the difference in the development on the RAM in the upward / sideways orientation. In the figure, the size of one font is 16
There are 32 dots, and the data structure of 8-bit data length is only print data.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The UI includes a circuit for giving priority to outputting the additional image in the additional image area and a circuit for giving priority to outputting the original image for a portion of the additional image area where there is no print data of the additional image. According to the specification, any one of the above circuits can be selected, so that the user can select the optimum combination mode according to the original.

Further, when the print areas of the additional images overlap, the one print area is preferentially output so that the additional images do not become unnatural at the print area overlapping portion.

Further, the color / density / size / direction of the additional image can be set for each additional image area.

Further, the output position of the additional image is determined by a plurality of fixed position information on the sheet indicated by the UI and the fine adjustment information in the main scanning / sub scanning direction. The output position can be set accurately with a simple operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the whole of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an additional image generation unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an address control unit of the additional image device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an additional image generation unit of the additional image device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an image combining unit (function A) of the additional image device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an image composition unit (function A) of the additional image device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an image combining unit (function B) of the additional image device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an image combining unit (function B) of the additional image device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a format of data received from the system.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a background selection method when combining an additional image and a read image.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an output selection method when outputting a full-face added image.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an output selection method when combining functions A and B images.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an appearance of a console panel.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a method of designating an additional image output on the UI.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a method of designating an additional image output on the UI.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an output position selection method on the UI.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a parameter changing method.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a parameter changing method.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a parameter changing method.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an additional image memory map.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of conventional image formation.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a conventional additional image generation unit.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of additional image output in the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of additional image data.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a print position on a sheet.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing output positions on a sheet.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram in the case where an image called Page 999 is added.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing addresses on the RAM in the upward / lateral directions.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 image reading unit, 20 additional image generating unit, 30
Image recording unit, 40 user interface (UI)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A device for optically scanning image information of a document placed on a document loading table and photoelectrically converting an optical signal into an electrical signal by a photoelectric conversion element, and a character, a symbol, etc. added to the document image. Of the original image and the second storage means for storing the image data in which the characters, symbols and the like are edited and developed.
In an image forming apparatus that combines the image data of the storage means and outputs it on the recording paper, when combining the original image and the additional image, all the image data to be added is output with priority, or the image data to be added is printed. An image forming apparatus provided with means for selecting whether to preferentially output only pixels having data. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has a plurality of second storage means and preferentially outputs one image data when the image data to be added overlap each other. 3. A plurality of second storage means are provided, and the position / color / density / size / of image data added independently to each storage means.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the direction can be changed. 4. The information for determining the output position of the additional image is a plurality of pieces of location information on the paper shown on the operation unit screen and fine adjustment information in the main scanning / sub scanning direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.