JPH0761123B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

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 which records an image based on image data representing an original image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, in the case of creating a large-screen painting for advertisements, decorations, etc., which is attached to the wall of a building or a gymnasium, there has been a silver-salt photograph of a large screen, printing, etc. in addition to handwriting.
Further, recently, there is a method of printing by winding a sheet around a large-diameter drum using an inkjet method.

However, in these methods, the printing apparatus becomes larger than the size of the printing paper and the operability is poor. There is also a limit to the size of the print paper, which is at most 5m x 4
The maximum was about m.

Therefore, it is considered that the original image is divided into a plurality of partial images, and each partial image is divided into a plurality of printing papers for printing.

As a result, an image of each part of the original image is printed on each printing paper, and the printing papers are attached to each other to form a large screen.

[0006]

However, in order to make a large screen print, it is possible to print a part of the picture on a small area of printing paper and then bond them in sequence, but in reality In order to be able to do so, it is necessary to form a picture that is recognizable as to what the images on the print papers to be attached to each other are. Therefore, even if a part of the picture is printed, a certain size is needed. For example, one sheet is required to obtain a reproduced image on a large screen of 10 m × 10 m, and about 1700 sheets or more are required for A4 size print paper. Therefore, each A4 size sheet does not form a picture. Therefore, it is almost impossible to properly bond them together.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily executing image reproduction of a size larger than that of recording paper. Specifically, the original image is divided into a plurality of partial images, and a plurality of dividing units that sequentially output a plurality of image data representing the plurality of partial images and a plurality of dividing units that respectively output the plurality of partial images sequentially output from the dividing unit. Processing means for enlarging and sequentially outputting the image data, generating means for generating identification data indicating a partial image adjacent to each of the plurality of partial images divided by the dividing means, and enlarging by the processing means. A combination unit that combines the identification data generated by the generation unit with the plurality of image data that are processed and sequentially output and sequentially output the combination, and the combination unit combines the identification data. An image having a recording unit that sequentially records the enlarged plurality of partial images on a plurality of recording sheets together with the identification data representing a partial image adjacent to each partial image based on the plurality of image data that are sequentially output. A processing device is provided.

[0008]

Embodiments Next, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 are control block diagrams for sequentially printing partial images from an original image.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for reading a document original image on a platen glass with a reader or a scanner and storing it in an image memory. The reader 1 converts the document information into image data by a line sensor such as a CCD. Memory 2
Is a page memory for one original image that stores the image data in a bitmap manner.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for sequentially reading out image data from the memory 2 for each part, enlarging the image data, adding an identification symbol, and sequentially printing out the image data.

A laser beam printer 3 in the drawing forms a print image in accordance with the image data from the memory 2. The printer 3 generates HSYNC for each line scan of the laser beam, and VSYNC for each sheet of print paper fed. Also, CLOCK synchronized with the pixel signal of the print video is generated.

An address generator 4 generates address data X, Y for selecting each part of the memory 2 and reading data line by line. The address generator 4 has an address counter for forming the address data X, Y and is controlled by a counter. Enlargement (data increase) processing is also performed. Since X corresponds to main scanning, it is determined by counting CLOCK, and Y corresponds to sub-scanning, and is determined by counting HSYNC. By reading the data of the same address twice, the data becomes doubled.

Reference numeral 6 is a character generator for giving an identification code to each print paper, and character image data represented by pixels is combined with data from the image memory 2 by a combiner 7.

The controller 5 sets the initial address data in the address generator, sets the count mode of the address counter for each divided area,
Further, it is for resetting the counter, setting for counting according to the magnification, outputting the code for character generation in the character generator 6, and storing the program shown in the flow of FIG. Comprised of computers.

To explain the operation, the controller 5 sends initial address data for determining the first partial image of the original image to the address generator 4 so that the original image in the memory 2 is divided and printed out.

Horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals HSYNC and VSYNC are sent from the printer 3 to the generator 4. Based on this synchronizing signal, the address generator 4 sends initial X address data and Y address data to be designated to the image memory 2.

On the other hand, the controller 5 sends the area address designation signals m and n to the character generator 6, and the synthesizer 7 synthesizes the created character and the partial image determined by the designated area address. , To the printer 3.

As a result, an image obtained by enlarging the divided original image to the paper size is obtained, and this printing operation is automatically repeated for the entire original image.

When the printing of the first sheet is started or ended, the signal of the second sheet is sent from the printer 3 to the controller 5 as a signal of the number of sheets, and the area address of the memory 2 for the second sheet is sent from the controller 5 to the controller 5. It is sent to the address generator 4 and the character generator 6 together with the count mode data. Then, the image data of the second sheet is enlarged and printed in the same manner as the first sheet.

In this way, the divided areas of the memory 2 are designated in order for the third sheet and the fourth sheet, the memory image is divided and output accordingly, and the area addresses are added and printed.

FIG. 3 is a control flow chart of the above process method.

First, the magnification is designated and input from the size of the original image, the size of the large screen to be finally printed, and the size of the print paper printed one by one (1). Thereby, the data α of the X address and the Y address of the divided area and the image division numbers n and m are determined.

For example, if the original image and the paper have the same size, X, Y
Assuming a two-fold expansion in the direction, the original image is divided into four. Therefore, n and m are (0,0), (1,0),
(0,1) and (1,1). And 2 in each of the X and Y directions
If there are 500 addresses, the initial address of each division is (0,0), (1250,0), (0,1250),
There are four (1250, 1250).

Thus, by α, the initial address αn,
αm is calculated (2), the address data Xs, Ys is set in the address counter (3), and the α-adic count mode is set in the address counter (4).

Therefore, for example, in the X direction, every 1250 addresses returns to 0 address. Also, one address data is output twice and enlarged twice. At the same time, m and n codes are output to the character generator for each divided area (5), characters are converted to be added to the image, and combined output is performed (6). The output of the divided print is such that (0, 0) and (1, 0) are printed in the X direction and then in the Y direction (7 to 10).

By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, margins may be formed on the right and lower portions of the print paper, and the rest may be used as the image portion. Further, the address of the divided image to be moved to the right side is printed in the right margin portion, and the address of the divided image to be moved to the lower portion is printed in the lower margin portion. This facilitates the bonding of adjacent divided images. Further, in order to ensure the bonding, it is possible to print the address of the image on a part of the image.

The blank space in the line direction stores the image data in the memory 2.
This can be achieved by delaying the output from HSYNC by a predetermined time, and the blank space in the downward direction can be obtained by storing the image data in the memory 2.
This can be achieved by delaying the output from VSYNC by a predetermined time. As a printing device, laser, L
Electrophotographic method using ED, LC, etc., thermal transfer,
There are also inkjet methods.

FIG. 5 shows the synthesis and pasting of output images. The non-image areas (margins) of the output sheets are pasted together.

When there are no margins at the left and upper edges of the image area in FIG. 4, the image portion may be missing due to skew or lateral misalignment of the paper. Even when a chip is generated, the output images are displayed with some overlap, so that the above problem can be solved.

Therefore, the initial address of each output image has a value of (X _s ′, Y _s ′) such that X _s ′ = X _s −A Y _s ′ = Y _s −B in the flow of FIG. Just fix it.
However, A and B represent the number of overlapping pixels.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment, in which image data read from the reader 1 is temporarily stored in a large-capacity image memory (for example, a magnetic disk) via the controller 5. Only the necessary area of the image data is transferred to the image memory 2 via the controller 5. The image memory 2 is
It is a bit map memory (bit data storage corresponding to pixels) for printer output.

When the data is transferred from the disk to the image memory 2, the following processing is sequentially performed, that is, necessary image data is taken out from the disk, and the taken-out image data is enlarged by interpolation (interpolation) or the like. Halftone reproduction processing by dither processing is performed, and the result is transferred to the image memory 2.

Now, consider that the image data is enlarged ten times and stored in the image memory 2. A part of the image data on the disk (1/10 of one original image when the original image and each print paper have the same size, and a divided portion corresponding to the ratio when the size is different as described above) is taken out. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, there is a case where the clock speed is changed and the image is simply enlarged, and a case where it is enlarged according to the pixel information of the surrounding of the pixel of interest by the interpolation method.

The enlargement method by the interpolation method is, for example, "Dig
ital Image Processing "Wil
iam K. Various techniques described by Pratt can be applied.

The above-mentioned processing is executed on data of about 8 bits per pixel having a halftone depth. That is, in the case of 10 times, the same 8-bit parallel data is serially converted into 10
It will continue several times. As a result, the pixel data has increased tenfold.

After the enlarging process, the dither threshold pattern is compared with the image data by the dither process, and binary or multi-valued is converted into 1-bit to 2-bit data, and the binary data or multi-valued data is stored in the image memory 2. Transferred.

Then, the data is output to the printer 3. Multi-valued data, for example, ternary data is 0, 0.5, 1
The memory 2 requires 2 bits per pixel.

According to the above example, the enlarged image has an effect that the contour of the pixel is difficult to appear due to the enlargement (when the interpolation method is used), and there is an effect that the texture pattern of the dither matrix does not occur due to the enlargement. Since the latter enlarges the image data and compares it with the dither threshold pattern, the size of the dither threshold pattern remains unchanged regardless of the enlargement ratio. Such a system is disclosed in JP-A-58-173972.

As described above, high-quality enlarged output can be obtained.

Also in this example, it is possible to form a margin as described above and additionally print an identification signal such as an address on each print sheet.

By the way, as an example of the enlarging method, the clock rate for storing the image data in the memory 2 is multiplied by a positive number with respect to the clock rate for transferring the image data to the memory 2, thereby increasing the pixel data by a positive number. There are things that extend the image.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the color printer. This color image recording apparatus outputs color image information by using an electrophotographic copying apparatus (laser beam printer) including a plurality of photosensitive drums arranged side by side, and the color images formed by this electronic copying apparatus are sequentially output in different colors. It is a device that records in layers.

In the figure, reference numerals 21a to 21d are scanning optical systems, and required image information is taken out as a light beam (laser beam) from the image memory for each color (not shown) by this scanning optical system. Photosensitive drums 22a to 22 arranged in parallel corresponding to cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bl)
It is configured to form an image on d. Developing devices 23a to 23d are arranged in the vicinity of the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d, and charging devices 24a to 23d are arranged on the side of a conveyor belt 27 for conveying a recording sheet (not shown) so as to face the photosensitive drums 22a to 22d. 24d is provided.

Explaining the operation of the above-mentioned structure, the modulated light beams output from the scanning optical systems 21a to 21d form an optical image on the respective photosensitive drums 22a to 22d, and then the image is formed by an electrophotographic process. The formed image becomes an electrostatic latent image, is developed by the developing devices 23a to 23d, and a color image in which each color is sequentially transferred to the roll recording paper held on the transport belt 27 by the charging devices 24a to 24d is formed. .

The recording paper may be cut paper, and in the case of roll paper, it is cut to an appropriate length. The transferred roll paper is recorded, fixed by the fixing device 29, and rewound by the winder 25.

FIG. 9 shows the four scanning optical systems 2 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the details of one of the items 1 in which the light beam modulated by the semiconductor laser 11 is collimated by the collimator lens 10 and is deflected by the rotating polygon mirror 12.

The deflected light beam forms an image on the photosensitive drum 23 by an image forming lens 13 called an fθ lens and scans the beam. In this beam scanning, the tip of the one-line scanning of the light beam is reflected by the mirror 14 and the light is guided to the detector (detector) 15. The detection signal from the detector 15 is used as a synchronizing signal in the scanning direction (horizontal direction). This signal name will be referred to as a BD signal or a horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC hereinafter.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are obtained by pasting the recorded images on the roll paper together, and each image recorded on the roll paper has the margin formed as described above and (the one-dimensional image ) The index code is printed so that you can see the order of pasting.

The vertically long structure of FIG. 10 is simple when fixing only at the upper end, and the horizontally long structure of FIG. 11 is suitable when fixing to the wall surface.

In each of the above examples, a predetermined interval (for example, 1
If an overlapping portion of about 1 cm is provided for each m) and the roll paper is cut off at this position and printed again so that the roll paper is reattached, the gap between the roll paper and the adjacent image can be adjusted.

Further, in order to reduce the density difference between the left, right, top and bottom joints, the output order from the printer 3 is reversed for each adjacent column as shown in FIG. Since the images are adjacent to each other, the density can be relatively the same regardless of the state of the apparatus, and uneven seams do not occur.

That is, a in FIG. 12 corresponds to the laser scanning direction (main scanning), and b corresponds to the print output direction (sub-scanning) of that line. For the print paper of (1), (2) When the output direction of the print paper is changed, the scan direction is changed and the output images at the side end portions of the printer 3 are adjacent to each other.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, an original image is divided into a plurality of partial images, a plurality of image data representing each of the plurality of partial images are sequentially output, and a plurality of sequentially output portions are output. Enlargement processing is performed on a plurality of image data representing respective images, and the plurality of enlarged partial images are sequentially recorded on a plurality of recording sheets based on the plurality of image data that are enlarged and sequentially output. Therefore, it is possible to record an image obtained by enlarging the original image to a size larger than the recording paper by dividing it into a plurality of recording papers, and further showing a partial image adjacent to each of the divided partial images. Generates identification data, combines the identification data with a plurality of image data that is enlarged and sequentially output, and sequentially outputs the identification data, and expands the identification data based on the plurality of image data that is combined and sequentially output. Was done Since a plurality of partial images are sequentially recorded on a plurality of recording sheets together with identification data representing the partial images adjacent to each partial image, a plurality of recording sheets on which enlarged images of a larger size than the recording sheets are separately recorded are attached. When reproducing images of a large screen together, it is possible to easily recognize the partial images to be pasted side by side, which makes it possible to easily perform the pasting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image file.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image printer.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of a process method.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a margin portion.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of pasting sheets.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of image enlargement.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the printer.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an optical system.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of pasting sheets.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of pasting sheets.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a relationship between a sheet and a recording direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Reader 2 Memory 3 Printer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An original image is divided into a plurality of partial images, and a plurality of image data representing each of the plurality of partial images are sequentially output.
The dividing means and the plurality of partial images sequentially output from the dividing means.
Enlarge and process multiple image data to represent
Each of the processing means and the plurality of partial images divided by the dividing means
A generating means for generating an identification data indicating a partial picture to be adjacent to, the identification <br/> specific data generated from said generating means and said a plurality of image data sequentially outputted is enlarged processed by said processing means synthesizing means for successively outputting synthesized and the identification data based on the plurality of image data sequentially outputted are combined by the combining means, enlarged <br/> plurality of partial images each portion image An image processing apparatus comprising: a recording unit that sequentially records a plurality of recording sheets together with the identification data that represents a partial image adjacent to the image.