JPH0728932A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To take out a partial image out of a read image even when an original image and an additional image have the same color by comparing the read image signal with the stored reference image signal and transmitting the additional image signal of a prescribed image. CONSTITUTION:An image is added to a part of an original that outputted a reference image signal, and this additional image is read by an image reading means 1. A separating means 3 compares the read image signal with the reference image signal stored in a reference image signal storing means 2 to secure coincidence of positions between both image signals. These coincident reference and read image signals are compared with each other at every picture element. Then the white and the black are outputted in the coincident and non-coincident states respectively. Furthermore the decided noises and a decided non-coincident state caused by deterioration of the image resolution are eliminated based on the connection between the non-coincident picture elements and their peripheral picture elements. Thus the means 3 outputs only the parts different from each other between the reference and read image signals so that the additional image is stored in a separate image signal storing means 4.

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 for taking out a part of an optically read image and for editing the image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image processing apparatuses have been used in various fields as interfaces for connecting humans and machines. For example, there are a copying machine that encloses a part of a manuscript with a marker pen and extracts only that part, and a character recognition device that converts a handwritten character or symbol into a character code that can be used by a machine.

A conventional image processing apparatus will be described below.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the structure of a conventional image processing apparatus. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 1101 denotes an image reading unit that optically reads an image of a document or the like, and 11
Reference numeral 02 denotes an area determining unit that determines an area surrounded by a line or the like that has been added by a marker pen, 1103 denotes an image processing unit that processes an image of a document or the like based on the determined area, 1
Reference numeral 104 denotes a processed image signal storage means for storing the processed image information. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image processed by the conventional image processing apparatus. In FIG. 12, 1201 is a document to be read, 1202 is an output image after processing, 1203 is a region specification curve to be retouched, 120
4 is a character in the area, 1205 is a character outside the area, and the area designation curve 1203 is a closed curve of a specific color designated for the determination by the area determination means 1102. A color different from that of the character 1205 is used.

The operation of the image processing apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

First, the original 1201 shown in FIG. 12 is read by the image reading means 1101. Image reading means 11
Reference numeral 01 is a color image reading means capable of reading color information, for example. Next, with respect to the read image signal, the area determination unit 1102 detects the area designation curve 1203 from the presence or absence of the pixel of the specific color in the read image signal,
It is determined whether each pixel is included in the area surrounded by the area designation curve 1203. Thereafter, the image processing unit 1103 performs different processing on each pixel based on the determination result of the area determination unit 1102, and stores the further processed image signal in the processed image signal storage unit 1104 (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-1039). -10568). At this time, if the output of the area outside the area designation curve 1203 is designated, the output image 1202 is obtained. Conversely, if the area of the inside is designated, the output image of only the characters 1204 in the area is obtained (not shown). ).

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, since the area designating curve 1203 is detected by color, it is impossible to construct an image using the same color as the area designating curve 1203. There are challenges. Further, even an image processing apparatus that targets only a single color image has a problem that the color image reading means is required to detect the area designation curve 1203, which is expensive.

In consideration of such a problem of the conventional image processing apparatus, the present invention can extract a part of the image from the read image even if the color of the original image and the color of the image to be added are the same. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing device.

[0009]

According to the present invention, reference image signal storage means for storing a reference image signal which is an original image and image reading for optically reading a retouched image in which a predetermined image is added to the original image are read. Means, a comparing means for comparing the image signal read by the image reading means with the stored reference image signal, and an additional image signal output for outputting the additional image signal of the added predetermined image based on the comparison result. And an image processing apparatus including means.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the reference image signal storage means stores the reference image signal which is the original image, the image reading means optically reads the retouched image, and the comparison means stores the read image signal and the stored reference image signal. The image signal is compared, and the additional image signal output means outputs the additional image signal of the added predetermined image based on the comparison result.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing its embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is an image reading means for outputting a read image signal as a signal proportional to the reflectance for each pixel, and 2 is a reference image signal which is an original image to be compared with the read image signal. The reference image signal storage means 3, which compares the read image signal with the reference image signal for each pixel, outputs only the separated image signal which is an additional image signal in which only different pixels are black and the corresponding pixels are white, Reference numeral 4 denotes a separated image signal storage means for storing the output separated image signal. The separation means 3 constitutes a comparison means and an additional image signal output means. FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of the separating means 3 in this embodiment. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 is an alignment unit for aligning the positions of the read image signal and the reference image signal, 302 is a matching determination unit that is a comparison unit, and 303 is a noise removal unit that removes noise components from the separated image signal. is there.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

First, the reference image signal 201 is output as an image (in this example, on a part of the original document output by an output device such as a printer).
An area designating curve surrounding the character [ABCD] is added (hereinafter referred to as an added image), and the added image is read by the image reading means 1.

Next, the read read image signal 20 is read.
2 and the reference image signal 201 stored in the reference image signal storage means 2 are compared by the separating means 3. In the separating means 3, the read image signal 202 is rotated, moved in parallel, and enlarged or reduced while obtaining the correlation between the read image signal 202 and the reference image signal 201 in whole or in part by the alignment means 301. The position of the reference image signal 201 and the position of the reference image signal 201 are aligned, and the state in which the correlation is highest is determined to be aligned.

After the position of the image signal, the coincidence determining means 302 compares the reference image signal 201 and the aligned read image signal 202 for each pixel, and if they match, white, and if not, black. Then, the noise removing unit 303 refers to the connection of the pixels determined to be non-coincident by the coincidence determining unit 302 with the surrounding pixels, and the ones that can be determined to be noise and the discrepancy due to the deterioration of resolution in the image reading unit 1 or the like. Those that can be determined to be removed. In this way, the separating means 3 outputs only the different portion between the reference image signal 201 and the read image signal 202, and the added image is stored in the separated image signal storage means 4 as the separated image signal 203.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the image reading means 1, the reference image signal storage means 2, the separating means 3 and the separated image signal storage means 4 are provided, and the read image signal read by the image reading means 1 is provided. And reference image signal storage means 2
By comparing with the reference image signal stored in the separation means 3 by the separating means 3, even if the image added on the document is not a specific color or is not added at a specific position, The added image can be separated.

In the above embodiment, the alignment means 3
In reference numeral 01, the read image signal is rotated, moved in parallel, or enlarged / reduced to perform the position alignment, but conversely, the reference image signal may be rotated, moved in parallel, or enlarged / reduced.

Further, in the above embodiment, the alignment mark is not particularly provided, and the alignment is performed using the whole or a part of the read image signal and the reference image signal. However, the alignment mark is not limited to this. The mark, for example, a dragonfly used in printing may be provided in advance, and the registration may be performed using this mark.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, 1 is an image reading means and 3 is a separating means, which is the same as that of the first embodiment. 2 is a reference image signal storage means,
The reference image generation command storage unit 5 and the reference image signal generation unit 6 are included. An image signal synthesizing means 7 is connected to the separating means 3, and the image signal synthesizing means 7 is composed of an image generating command generating means 8 and an image generating command synthesizing means 9. A composite image generation command storage unit 10 is connected to the image signal composition unit 7. Here, the image generation command generation means 8 constitutes the command generation means, and the image generation command synthesis means 9 constitutes the image generation command output means.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus of the second embodiment will be described.

First, the reference image generation command storage unit 5 stores a command group of a page description language for generating a reference image signal, and the reference image signal generation unit 6 is stored in the reference image generation command storage unit 5. A reference image signal is generated using the instruction group that is present. On the other hand, the image reading means 1 reads the retouched original image and outputs a read image signal.

Next, the generated reference image signal and the read image signal read by the image reading means 1 are compared by the separating means 3 for each pixel, and different portions of the reference image signal and the read image signal are separated images. Output as a signal. The image generation command generation means 8 converts the separated image signal output from the separation means 3 into a command group of a page description language for generating the separated image signal, and the image generation command synthesis means 9 converts the converted separated image signal. And a group of instructions for generating a reference image signal stored in the reference image generation instruction storage means 5 to generate a composite image signal in the composite image generation instruction storage means 10 in a page description language. Is output.
The composite image generation command storage unit 10 stores the command group.

As described above, the reference image signal generating means 6 for storing the reference image as the instruction group described in the page description language and interpreting the instruction group to generate the reference image signal is provided. An image generation instruction generation means 8 for converting into an instruction group of a page description language for generating a separated image signal is provided, and an image generation instruction synthesis means 9 for synthesizing an instruction group describing a separated image and an instruction group describing a reference image is provided. As a result, the added image is described in the page description language so that the composite image signal can be edited, and at the same time, the portion other than the separated image signal is replaced with the reference image signal, so that the image reading means 1 It is possible to eliminate the deterioration of the image quality and output a synthetic image generation command that generates a high-quality image.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, 1 is an image reading means and 2 is
Is a reference image signal storage means, 5 is a reference image generation instruction storage means, 6 is a reference image signal generation means, 3 is a separation means, 7 is an image signal synthesis means, 8 is an image generation instruction generation means, and 9 is an image generation instruction synthesis. Means 10 is a composite image generation command storage means, and since these means are the same as those in the second embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. The image processing apparatus of this embodiment is different from the image processing apparatus of the second embodiment in that a character recognizing means 501 is provided between the separating means 3 and the image signal synthesizing means 7. When the image is a character, the recognition unit 501 recognizes it and outputs the code of the character. Here, the character recognition unit 501 is a character recognition unit,
The character recognition means 501 and the separation means 3 constitute additional image signal output means.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus of the third embodiment will be described.

First, the operation from the image reading by the image reading means 1 to the output of the separated image signal by the separating means 3 is the same as that of the second embodiment.

Next, the separated image signal output from the separating means 3 is subjected to character recognition processing by the character recognizing means 501, the part recognized as a character is converted into a character code, and the part not recognized as a character remains as it is. The image signal is output to the image signal synthesizing means 7. In the image generation command generation means 8,
The output image signal (including a character code if there is a character image) is converted into a command group described in a page description language.
Next, in the image generation command synthesizing means 9, the converted command group and the command group for generating the reference image signal stored in the reference image generation command storage means 5 are synthesized and output to the synthesized image generation command storage means 10. To do. The composite image generation command storage means 10 stores a command group for generating the composite image signal.

As described above, by providing the character recognition means 501 between the separation means 3 and the image generation command generation means 8, it is possible to replace the character portion in the added image with the character code. , The added character can be made to have the same quality as the character in the reference image, and a higher quality image can be provided.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, 1 is an image reading means and 2 is
Is a reference image signal storage means, 5 is a reference image generation instruction storage means, 6 is a reference image signal generation means, 3 is a separation means, 601
Is a symbol recognition unit, 602 is an image processing unit, and 603 is a processed image generation command storage unit, which is an image reading unit 1, a reference image signal storage unit 2, a reference image generation command storage unit 5,
The reference image signal generating means 6 and the separating means 3 have the same configurations as those in FIG. The symbol recognition means 601 is for recognizing a processing instruction symbol, the image processing means 602 is for processing a reference image based on the recognized processing instruction symbol, and the processed image generation command storage means 603 is The instruction group for generating the processed image is stored. Here, the symbol recognition means 601 constitutes a storage means, a symbol detection means, and an instruction information output means.

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

First, an example of an image processed in this embodiment is shown in FIG.
Shown in. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a reference image signal, and 702
Is a read image signal, 703 is a separated image signal, and 704 is a processed image signal.

Next, the separated image signal 703 is outputted from the separating means 3 by the same operation as in the second embodiment. The separated image signal 703 is recognized by the symbol recognition means 601 as a processing instruction symbol (the processing instruction symbol is predetermined), and the recognition result is output to the image processing means 602. In this embodiment, the line drawn on the character is determined to be a character deletion symbol. Therefore, when the symbol recognition unit 601 recognizes that the line is drawn on the character, the image processing unit 602. Then, based on the recognition result, the command group for generating the character string in which the line is drawn is deleted from the command group for generating the reference image stored in the reference image generation command storage unit 5, and the processed image signal 704 is deleted. Is generated and stored in the processed image generation command storage unit 603.

As described above, by providing the image processing means 602 for reading the processing instruction symbol from the separated image signal by the symbol recognition means 601 and processing the generation instruction group of the reference image signal based on the read processing instruction symbol. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily configuring an automatic editor that reads an edit symbol and automatically edits a document.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 8, 1 is an image reading means, 2 is
Is a reference image signal storage means, 801 is a reference image generation command reading means, 6 is a reference image signal generation means, 3 is a separation means, 802 is a character type verification means, 4 is a separated image signal storage means, and the image reading means 1, The separating means 3 and the separated image signal storage means 4 have the same configuration as that of FIG. 1, and the reference image signal generating means 6 has the same configuration as that of FIG.
Further, the reference image generation command reading unit 801 reads the reference image generation command from the read image signal, and the character type verification unit 802, as shown in FIG. 9, counts the number of connected black pixels. The pixel counting unit 901, the character type match determining unit 902 that determines whether the character types match, and the passage of the separated image signal is controlled according to the determination results of the character type match determining unit 902, and the character type is changed to perform separation processing. Signal control means 903 for controlling the re-execution request for re-execution of Here, the reference image generation command reading unit 801 constitutes a symbol detecting unit and a command creating unit. Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, an example of an image processed in this embodiment is shown in FIG.
It shows in 0. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 is a document read by the image reading means 1, and 1002 is a machine-readable symbol, for example, a bar code is used.

Now, the machine-readable symbol 100
When the image reading unit 1 reads the document 1001 on which the reference image generation command group is printed together with the reference image as a barcode 2, the reference image generation command reading unit 801.
Then, the machine-readable symbol 1002 is cut out and the reference image generation instruction is read to acquire the reference image generation instruction. Then, the reference image signal generation means 6 generates a reference image signal from the acquired reference image generation instruction and outputs it to the separation means 3.

On the other hand, the read image signal output from the image reading means 1 is input to the separating means 3, and the separating means 3 outputs the separated image signal in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
For the separated image signal, the character type verification unit 802 determines whether or not the character type used when the reference image signal generation unit 6 generates the reference image signal is appropriate.

The judgment by the character type verification means 802 is as follows.
The short connected pixel counting means 901 counts how many black pixels each black pixel in the separated image signal is connected, and then the character type coincidence determination means 902 determines that the number of connected pixels is less than a certain value. If there are more, it is determined that the character type used by the reference image signal generating means is different from the character type used for printing, and if not, it is determined that the character types match. After that, if the character types do not match according to the determination result of the character type matching determination unit 902, the signal control unit 903.
Then, the separation image signal is switched so as not to be output to the separation image signal storage means 4, and the re-execution request signal is output to the reference image signal generation means 6 and the separation means 3. Then, the reference image signal generation means 6 receives the re-execution request signal and re-generates the reference image signal using another character type, and the separation means 3 receives the re-execution request signal and re-generates the reference image signal. It is used to compare with the read image signal. On the other hand, when it is determined that the character types match, the signal control unit 903 determines that the separated image signal is the separated image signal storage unit 4.
The separated image signal is stored in the separated image storage means 4.

As described above, the reference image generation command is stored in the reference image signal storage unit 2 in advance by inserting the reference image generation command in the form of a machine-readable symbol in the original read by the image reading unit 1. Even if the document is not read, the reference image generation command can be obtained at the same time when the document is read, so that it is possible to provide a simple image processing apparatus that does not require the work of registering the reference image. Further, the character type verification unit 802 determines whether or not the character type used in the reference image signal generation unit 6 and the character type used for printing match, and if they do not match, another reference type is used to generate the reference image signal again. By generating the separated image signal by the separating means 3, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the separation accuracy of the added image due to the mismatch of the character types, and it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus with high accuracy.

As described above, since the read image signal and the reference image signal are compared and different portions are extracted, an image processing apparatus that can extract information that is not in the reference image regardless of the colors forming the image is configured. can do.

In the second to fifth embodiments described above, the page description language is taken as the image signal generation instruction group, but the present invention is not limited to this, and another instruction language can be used as long as it is an instruction group capable of generating an image signal. May be used.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the line drawn by overlapping the character as the processing instruction symbol has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a double line, a wavy line, or a character or symbol used for the reference image. Of course, other symbols may be used as long as they are different from the above.

In the fifth embodiment, the bar code is used as the machine-readable symbol, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any other symbol can be used as long as it can read the information of the instruction group. Good.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, each means is constituted by dedicated hardware, but instead of this, instead of this,
The same function may be realized by software using a computer.

[0049]

As is clear from the above description, the present invention is added based on the comparison means for comparing the image signal read by the image reading means with the stored reference image signal and the comparison result. Since the additional image signal output means for outputting the additional image signal of the predetermined image is provided, even if the color of the original image and the color of the image to be added are the same, a part of the image can be extracted from the read image. It has the advantage of being able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a processed image for explaining the operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a separating means in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of a processed image for explaining an operation in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a character type verification unit in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of a processed image for explaining the operation in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a conventional image processing apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of a processed image for explaining the operation of a conventional image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 image reading means 2 reference image signal storage means 3 separation means 4 separated image signal storage means 5 reference image generation command storage means 6 reference image signal generation means 7 image signal synthesis means 8 image generation instruction generation means 9 image generation instruction synthesis means 10 Synthetic image generation command storage means 301 Positioning means 302 Match determination means 303 Noise removal means 501 Character recognition means 601 Symbol recognition means 602 Image processing means 603 Modified image generation command storage means 801 Reference image generation command reading means 802 Character type verification means 901 Short Connected pixel counting means 902 Character type matching determination means 903 Signal control means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A reference image signal storage means for storing a reference image signal which is an original image, an image reading means for optically reading a retouched image in which a predetermined image is added to the original image, and an image reading means therefor. Comparing means for comparing the read image signal with the stored reference image signal, and additional image signal output means for outputting the additional image signal of the added predetermined image based on the comparison result. An image processing device characterized by the above. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference image signal is generated based on an image generation command for generating an image. 3. An image generation command for generating an image generation command based on a predetermined rule from the output additional image signal, and the image based on the generated image generation command and the image generation command of the reference image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an image generation command output unit that outputs an image generation command for generating a combined image of the additional images. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional image signal output means has a character recognition unit for recognizing the character when the additional image signal is a character image. . 5. A storage unit that stores in advance processing instruction information for editing and processing a reference image and a symbol image corresponding thereto, a symbol detection unit that detects the symbol image from the output additional image signal, and It is characterized by further comprising: instruction information output means for outputting the stored processing instruction information based on the detection result; and image processing means for editing and processing the reference image based on the output processing instruction information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, 3, or 4. 6. The image read by the image reading means is a symbol to which a symbol corresponding to an image generation command of the reference image is added in advance, and symbol detection for detecting the symbol from the read image signal. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a unit and a command creating unit that creates an image creating command for creating the reference image based on the detected symbol. 7. The propriety of the character type is determined so that the character type in the image of the reference image generated by the image generation command is optimal for the character type of the original image, and the reference image is determined based on the determination result. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a character type verification unit that changes a character type in the image generation command.