JPH09321983A - Image processing method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the image data whose tilt is automatically corrected by detecting the tilt of an image that is read out of a detected boundary and then correcting the tilt of the image of the image data. SOLUTION: A blocking means 11 detects whether all unit blocks forming each of block areas divided in a prescribed size in the image data are blank or not and then outputs the block data to show whether every block 20 is identical to an information area or a blank area. Then a 1st tilt detection means 12 detects the tilt of an image based on the block data, and a tilt correction means 13 corrects the tilt of the image data based on the tilt information outputted from the means 12. Thus, the image tilt can be automatically detected and corrected, so that a user can obtain the image data whose tilt is automatically corrected without having any troublesome operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing image data read by an image reading device such as a hand scanner, and in particular, data in a form in which the read image data is easily used or processed by a user. In addition, the present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus for automatically correcting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It has been conventionally practiced to read an image with a scanner or the like, display the read image data, or process the image data for use.
By scanning the original image with a hand scanner or the like, it was possible to capture image data of an original having a wider area or an irregular original.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-80568, a freehand scanner is used to compare the image data in the overlapping area of each scanning area and correct the positional deviation of the image data when reading a document. A technique for obtaining image data of a large area without deviation is disclosed.

[0004]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application No. 7-805
In an image processing apparatus that reads a document using a freehand scanner as shown in No. 68, the image data is
When a document is scanned, it is generated with the direction in which the free-hand scanner is placed as the reference axis direction at the beginning of scanning, so when the user starts scanning, the scanner is placed in a direction tilted from the horizontal and vertical lines of the document and scanned. At the beginning, the image data obtained by this scanning becomes image data inclined from the actual horizontal and vertical lines by the angle at which the scanner is inclined at the start of scanning.

The original document to be read is
In the case of newspapers, magazines, etc., if the vertical and horizontal axes of the obtained image are tilted, it will be very difficult to see.
In order to correct this inclination, it is necessary to find out how much the obtained image data is inclined with respect to the horizontal and vertical lines of the original, and further perform coordinate conversion processing to rotate the image by this angle. However, this modification is very troublesome work for the user or impossible for the user.

Further, when reading a necessary article in a newspaper or a magazine with a hand scanner or the like, an area slightly larger than the necessary area is actually scanned, and among all areas of the image data obtained by the scanning. In order to extract only the image data of the required area, it is necessary to further specify the range of the required area of the image data and cut it out. Is this editing work very troublesome for the user? ,
Or it was impossible for the user.

When the manuscript to be read is a newspaper, a magazine, etc., and when reading an article divided by columns, page changes, etc., a freehand scanner as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-80568. It is possible to read only the desired article area by reading each of these divided articles separately using. However, to get each divided article as one image data,
After reading each article as each image data,
It was necessary to specify these necessary parts and edit them to arrange them.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing method and an image processing apparatus capable of automatically correcting the inclination of image data read by a hand scanner or the like. To aim.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an image processing method and an image processing apparatus capable of automatically selecting a necessary area of the obtained image data and obtaining image data not including an unnecessary data area. To aim.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing method and an image processing apparatus capable of automatically arranging sequentially read image data.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method and an image processing apparatus which can perform the above-mentioned image processing in combination.

[0012]

An image processing method according to the present invention (claim 1) is an image processing method for processing image data read by an image reading unit having an image reading unit. A block indicating whether all the unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks forming each block area divided into the size are blank and indicating whether each of the plurality of block areas is an information area or a blank area. Data is obtained, the boundary between the information area and the blank area of the image is detected from the block data, the inclination of the read image is detected from the detected boundary, and the inclination of the image of the image data is corrected. It is a thing.

Further, the image processing method of the present invention (claim 2) is an image processing method for processing image data read by an image reading means having an image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction. The unit is moved straight in a certain reference direction for a predetermined length or more, and the straightened direction is detected from two movement amount detection outputs indicating the movement amounts of both ends of the image reading unit. The tilt of the read image is detected from the reference axis of the image reading unit at the start of reading the image, and the tilt of the image of the image data is corrected.

An image processing method according to the present invention (claim 3) is an image processing method for processing image data read by an image reading means having an image reading section, and the image data has a predetermined size on the image data. All the unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks forming each of the divided block areas are
Block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area is obtained by detecting whether or not the block is blank, a blank area of an image is detected from the block data, and the blank area is detected in four directions from the blank area. The outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all the information areas surrounded by is detected, and only the image data of the image data surrounded by the outermost frame of the detected blank area is output.

The image processing method of the present invention (claim 4) is an image processing method for processing image data read by an image reading device having an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, which is sequentially read. The end coordinates of the plurality of image data are detected for each scanning, and the end coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data of the previously read image data are arranged so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. The conversion is performed so that the coordinates of the other end are aligned.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 5) comprises an image reading unit, and comprises an image reading unit for reading image data and each block area divided into a predetermined size on the read image data. Blocking means for detecting whether or not all the unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks constituting the block are blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and the block data. The first inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination of the image, and the inclination correcting means for correcting the inclination of the image data by using the inclination information output from the first inclination detecting means.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 6) is provided with an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, and an image reading unit for reading image data and a movement amount of both ends of the image reading unit. Based on the two movement amount detecting means to be output, and the movement amount information output from each of the movement amount detecting means, a straight movement detecting means for detecting a direction in which the image reading section has gone straight for a predetermined length or more, and the straight movement detection. Second inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination of the image read from the straight-ahead direction detected by the means and the reference axis of the image reading portion at the start of reading the image, and the second inclination detecting means. And a tilt correction means for correcting the tilt of the image data by using the tilt information thus obtained.

Further, an image processing apparatus of the present invention (claim 7) comprises an image reading section, image reading means for reading image data, and each block divided into a predetermined size on the read image data. Blocking means for detecting whether or not all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks forming an area are blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, A blank area detecting means for detecting a blank area of the image from the block data; and a blank area capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means. An outermost frame detecting means for detecting an outermost frame and an image cutting means for outputting only the image data of the image data enclosed by the detected outermost frame are provided.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 8) includes an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, an image reading unit for reading image data, and a plurality of sequentially read arbitrary sizes. The edge coordinates of the image data are detected for each scanning, and the edge coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data are transferred to the other end of the previously read image data so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. It is provided with a connecting and arranging means for converting so as to align with the end coordinates of.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 9) includes an image reading unit, image reading means for reading image data, and each block divided into a predetermined size on the read image data. Blocking means for detecting whether or not all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks forming an area are blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, A first tilt detecting means for detecting the tilt of the image from the block data; and a tilt correcting means for correcting the tilt of the image data using the tilt information output from the first tilt detecting means, and Blank area detection means for detecting a blank area of the image from the block data obtained by the blocking means, and blanks on all four sides of the blank area detected by the blank area detection means The outermost frame detection means for detecting the outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all the information areas surrounded by the area, and only the image data of the image data enclosed by the detected outermost frame. And an image cutting means for outputting.

Further, an image processing apparatus of the present invention (claim 10) is provided with an image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction, and an image reading unit for reading image data and a moving amount of both ends of the image reading unit are provided. Based on the two movement amount detecting means to be output, and the movement amount information output from each of the movement amount detecting means, the straight-movement detecting means for detecting the direction in which the image reading unit has gone straight for a predetermined length or more, and the straight-movement detection. Second tilt detecting means for detecting the tilt of the image read from the straight-ahead direction detected by the means and the reference axis of the image reading portion at the start of reading the image, and detected by the second tilt detecting means. A unit for correcting the inclination of the image data by using the obtained inclination information, and all units of a plurality of unit blocks forming each block area divided into a predetermined size on the image data. Block , A block forming means for detecting whether or not each of the plurality of blocks is blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and a blank area detection for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data. Means and outermost frame detection means for detecting the outermost frame composed of a blank area, which can enclose all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detection means, An image cropping unit that outputs only the detected image data of the image data enclosed by the outermost frame is provided.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 11) includes an image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction, and an image reading unit for reading image data and a predetermined size on the read image data. All the unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks forming each block area divided into
Blocking means for detecting whether or not each block is blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and a blank area detecting means for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data. An outermost frame detecting means for detecting an outermost frame composed of a blank area, which can enclose all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means; Image cutting means for outputting only the detected image data enclosed by the outermost frame, and detecting the edge coordinates of the plurality of sequentially read image data for each scanning, Convert the end coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data to the end coordinates of the other end of the previously read image data so that the image data are arranged side by side. Those having a connection arrangement means.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 12) is provided with an image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction, an image reading unit for reading image data, and a predetermined size on the read image data. Detects whether or not all unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks forming each block area are blank and outputs block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area Blocking means, first tilt detecting means for detecting the tilt of the image from the block data, and tilt correction for correcting the tilt of the image data using the tilt information output from the first tilt detecting means. Means, a blank area detecting means for detecting a blank area of the image from the block data, and a blank area surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means. Outermost frame detecting means for detecting the outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all the information areas, and image clipping for outputting only the image data of the image data enclosed by the detected outermost frame And one end of the sequentially read image data so that the edge coordinates of the plurality of sequentially read image data are detected for each reading scan and the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. The connection arranging means is provided for converting the edge coordinates of the above into the edge coordinates of the other end of the image data read last time.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 13) is provided with an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, and an image reading unit for reading image data and a movement amount of both ends of the image reading unit are provided. Based on the two movement amount detecting means to be output, and the movement amount information output from each of the movement amount detecting means, a straight movement detecting means for detecting a direction in which the image reading section has gone straight for a predetermined length or more, and the straight movement detection. Second inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination of the image read from the straight-ahead direction detected by the means and the reference axis of the image reading portion at the start of reading the image, and the second inclination detecting means. An inclination correcting unit that corrects the inclination of the image data using the obtained inclination information, and all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks that form each block area divided into a predetermined size on the image data are blank. so Block means for detecting whether or not each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and a blank area detecting means for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data, Outermost frame detection means for detecting the outermost frame composed of blank areas, which can enclose all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detection means, and the image data An image cropping means for outputting only the image data surrounded by the outermost frame that has been detected, and detecting the edge coordinates of the plurality of sequentially read image data for each scanning, A connection that converts the end coordinates of one end of sequentially read image data to the end coordinates of the other end of previously read image data so that the Those having a location means.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 14), in the image processing apparatus (Claim 5, 9 or 12), the first inclination detecting means is an information area of an image from the block data. Information area edge detecting means for detecting the edge of the information area, and information area edge inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination of the image from the detected edge of the information area.

Further, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 15), in the image processing apparatus (Claim 5, 9 or 12), the blocking means switches the size of the block area according to the image to be read. It is provided with a switching means.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 16), in the image processing apparatus (Claims 7, 9 to 13), the outermost frame detection means is continuous in a lateral direction for a predetermined length or more. A horizontal frame detecting means for detecting a blank area and a vertical frame detecting means for detecting a blank area continuous in the vertical direction for a predetermined length or more, and the horizontal frame detecting means and the vertical frame detecting means detect the horizontal area. The maximum frame among the closed frames created by the horizontal frame and the vertical frame is output as the outermost frame.

An image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 17) is the image processing apparatus (Claim 8 or 11 to 13).
In the connection placement means, the coordinate conversion means for converting the coordinates on the memory of the sequentially read image data by using the end coordinates from the end coordinate detection means described later of the converted image data whose coordinates have been immediately converted, From the converted image data output from the coordinate conversion means, the edge coordinates of the converted image data are detected and stored, and the edge-converted edge coordinate data stored at the time of the previous reading scan is converted into the coordinates. It is composed of an end coordinate detecting means for outputting to the converting means.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 18) is the image processing apparatus (claims 8, 11 to 13).
In, the connection arrangement means, for each reading scan,
Edge coordinate detection means for detecting edge coordinates of the read image data, and initial coordinate generation means for generating initial coordinates for generating the next image using the edge coordinates output from the edge coordinate detection means. It is equipped with.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention (claim 19) is the image processing apparatus (claims 8, 11 to 13).
In the above, the coordinate conversion means is connected and arranged so that the coordinates of the sequentially read image data do not overlap.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 20), in the image processing apparatus (Claims 11 to 13), the detection of the edge coordinates is output by the image cutting means and is clipped. The edge coordinates are detected from the image data.

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1. The image processing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention is an image processing method in which an image is read by a scanner or the like to obtain image data, and the inclination of the generated image data is automatically corrected.

That is, the image processing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention is the image processing method for processing the image data read by the image reading means having the image reading unit, and the image data having a predetermined size on the image data is obtained. All the unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks forming each of the separated block areas are detected to obtain block data indicating whether each of the plurality of block areas is an information area or a blank area, The boundary between the information area and the blank area of the image is detected from the block data, the inclination of the read image is detected from the detected boundary, and the inclination of the image of the image data is corrected.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 10
Is an image generating means, 11 is a blocking means, 12 is a first inclination detecting means, and 13 is an inclination correcting means.

The operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described below. The image generating means 10 shown in FIG. 1 generates image data in the same manner as in the past by using, for example, an image reading means (not shown) and a coordinate generating means (not shown).

Next, the image data thus generated is divided into blocks by the block forming means 11. This blocking process will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.
In the above, reference numerals 20, 21, 22, and 23 respectively indicate one unit of the blocking filter, and r1 to r4 respectively indicate unit blocks. Blocking filter 2
0 is composed of a square block area composed of 4 unit blocks of vertical 2 unit blocks and horizontal 2 unit blocks, and the blocking filter 23 is composed of a horizontally long rectangular block area composed of vertical 2 unit blocks and horizontal 8 unit blocks. Become.

The image data obtained by the image generating means 10 is divided into each block area having the size of the blocking filter 20 shown in FIG. 2A, and the unit blocks r1 to r4 constituting this block area are divided. When at least one of them is not blank, as in the blocking filter 21 shown in FIG. 2B, the block area is black, and when all of the unit pixels r1 to r4 are blank, FIG. As in the blocking filter 22 shown in c), the block area is white, and this processing is performed for all areas of the image data.
Block data indicating whether each block area is black or white, that is, whether it is an information area or a blank area is obtained.

Here, in FIG. 2, as an example of this blocking filter, a blocking filter 20 consisting of vertical and horizontal 2 unit blocks or a blocking filter 23 consisting of vertical 2 unit blocks and horizontal 8 unit blocks is shown. The size of the flocking filter can be set to a desired size and shape depending on the type of document to be read. Note that the size of such blocking filter,
The selection of the shape and the shape can be realized by providing a switching unit that switches the size of the blocking filter.

FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) schematically show block data obtained by such blocking processing, and FIG. 3 (a) is shown in FIG. 2 (a). The block data consisting of the information area 31 and the blank area 32, which has been subjected to the blocking processing by the square blocking filter as described above, and FIG. 3 (b) are as shown in the obtained FIG. 3 (a). 2B shows block data composed of an information area 33 and a blank area 34, which are obtained by further performing block processing on the block data with a horizontally long rectangular block filter as shown in FIG. 2D. . In the first embodiment, the block data is obtained by forming the information area 33 into one large area as shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the blocking processing is performed twice using the blocking filters having different sizes and shapes to obtain the above-described block data, but this may be performed once or three times or more. It suffices to obtain block data that forms one area having a large information area.

By this blocking processing, the boundary (edge) between the information area (character area) and the blank area of the document can be clearly identified.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the first inclination detecting means 12 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 denote the same or corresponding portions. In this first inclination detecting means, it is obtained as shown in FIG.
The inclination of the image is detected from the block data as shown in FIG. That is, in the first inclination detecting means 12, the information area edge detecting means 41 detects the boundary (edge) of the information area from the block data, and from the edge, the information area edge inclination detecting means 42 detects the inclination of the information area. That is, the inclination of the image on the image data is detected.

The edge detection by the information area edge detection means 41 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information area edge detection means.
It shows a filter consisting of 4 unit blocks in rows and 2 columns. 33 in the figure is a portion corresponding to the information area 33 shown in FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, two vertical lines,
The filter 51 is composed of four unit blocks arranged in two rows and is composed of a unit block which is a lower right information area (black) and a unit block which is a blank area (white) other than the lower right area. The block data having a configuration similar to that of 51 is searched for a portion consisting of 4 unit blocks in two vertical rows and two horizontal columns. As a result, as shown on the right side of FIG. 5A, the position corresponding to the corner portion (each portion surrounding the positions p1, p3, p5, p7 shown in FIG. 3) of the information area 33 protruding to the upper left side is set. To detect. The information area edge is detected using the leftmost position p1 among these positions as the start position.

From the start position p1 to the right side, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), using a filter 52 composed of unit blocks whose upper two are blank areas (white) and unit blocks whose lower two are information areas (black),
The horizontal edge is detected by sequentially tracing the position of the portion having the same structure as the filter 52 on the block data, and the horizontal edge is stopped at the traced position (p2 in FIG. 3). If the configuration of the four unit blocks surrounding the position p2 where the detection of the horizontal edge is stopped is the same as the configuration of the filter 53 shown in FIG. 5C, the filter 54 is moved upward from this position p2. By using the block data, the position of the portion having the same configuration as the filter 54 is sequentially traced to detect the vertical edge. Further, the configuration of four unit blocks surrounding the position p2 at which the detection of the horizontal direction edge is stopped is performed by the filter 55.
When the configuration is the same as that of (1), the filter 56 is used downward from the position p2 to detect the vertical edge. And
The detection of the vertical edge is stopped at the lost position (p3). Here, since this block data forms one area with a large information area by the above-described block formation and is divided into blocks to the extent that it does not have a complicated shape, the position where this edge detection in the vertical direction is stopped is set. The configuration of the four surrounding unit blocks is the filter 51 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, it has a structure like the filter 57 shown in FIG.
The edge is detected again in the right direction and the up and down direction with the position of as the start position. After that, the horizontal edge and the vertical edge are similarly detected up to the right end of the information area.

In the above-described edge detection, the filter 53 has a structure in which the unit block other than the upper left unit block is black (information area), but the filter 53 is one of the black unit blocks. It is also possible to use a filter in which the lower right unit block may be white or black, and similarly, the filter 57 has a configuration in which the unit block other than the upper right unit block is black. As 57, it is also possible to use a filter in which the lower left unit block of the black unit blocks may be white or black. As a result, the edge can be detected even for the block data in which the information areas are connected by contacting each other at their corners, such as when the block data in FIG. 3A is rotated 90 degrees to the right.

Next, the information area edge inclination detecting means 42
Then, the inclination of the image data is obtained based on the horizontal edge and the vertical edge thus detected. That is, the length from the detected start position p1 to p2 and the length from p2 to p2
The first inclination θ1 is obtained based on the heights up to 3. Also the second
The second inclination θ2 is obtained based on the length from the start position p3 to p4 and the height from p4 to p5. After that, the gradient θ is sequentially obtained, and then a frequency distribution table as shown in FIG. 6 is created with the gradient θ as the horizontal axis and the frequency at which the gradient appears as the vertical axis. At this time, the frequency of each inclination θ is counted by the length of the lateral edge (the number of blocks) that is the basis for obtaining the inclination.

In the frequency distribution table shown in FIG. 6 created in this way, the inclination angle θ is within a predetermined range (for example, within ± 10 degrees), and more than the predetermined frequency is detected. Slope θ showing the peak of this data
Find a and use this as the slope.

The slope is the slope θa of the peak.
Can be obtained by averaging from θb to θc within a predetermined range from, and median value (median value)
May be the slope. Further, the information area edge detection means 4
If the horizontal edge detected by 1 is equal to or longer than the predetermined length, it is determined that the inclination is zero.

The inclination θ obtained by the first inclination detecting means 12 in this manner is output to the inclination correcting means 13. The inclination correction means 13 performs coordinate conversion processing of the image data so as to correct the inclination θ based on the inclination θ obtained as described above, and thereby the image data whose inclination has been corrected is obtained. obtain.

In the first embodiment, the edges are detected from the left end to the right end, but the edges of the entire circumference of the information area are detected, and by this, how much each edge is inclined with respect to the vertical and horizontal reference axes. You may ask.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of unit blocks (r1 to r4) forming each block area 20 divided into a predetermined size on the image data. Block unit 11 for detecting whether or not all the unit blocks are blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks 20 is an information area or a blank area, and an inclination of an image from the block data. Since the first inclination detecting means 12 for detecting θ and the inclination correcting means 13 for correcting the inclination of the image data by using the inclination information output from the first inclination detecting means 12 are provided. The tilt can be automatically detected and corrected, and thus, there is an effect that the image data with the tilt automatically corrected can be obtained without the user performing a troublesome operation.

Further, according to the image processing apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention, the blocking means 11 is provided with the switching means for switching the size of the block area 20 according to the image to be read, which is a target. Blocking can be performed by a block filter having a size suitable for the original image, and thus, the inclination can be accurately detected by the first inclination detecting means.

Embodiment 2 The image processing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention is an image processing method in which an image is generated by reading an image with a freehand scanner or the like that can scan in an arbitrary direction, and the inclination of the generated image data is automatically detected. It is intended to be corrected to.

That is, the image processing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the image processing method for processing the image data read by the image reading means having the image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction. The unit is moved straight in a certain reference direction for a predetermined length or more, and the straightened direction is detected from two movement amount detection outputs indicating the movement amounts of both ends of the image reading unit. The tilt of the read image is detected from the reference axis of the image reading unit at the start of reading the image, and the tilt of the image in the image data is corrected.

The figure shows a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 71 is an image reading means, 72 is an image generating means, 73 and 74 are movement amount detecting means respectively, 75 is a coordinate generating means, 76 is a straight-ahead detecting means, 77 is a second inclination detecting means, and 78 is an inclination correction. It is a means.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing how an image is read in the second embodiment. Reference numeral 81 is an image reading unit.
Reference numerals 2 and 83 are movement amount detection units.

In the second embodiment, for example, image data is read by using a free hand scanner capable of scanning in any direction as shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-80568 mentioned in the conventional example. The image reading unit 71 shown in FIG. 7 reads an image by the image reading unit 81, and the two moving amount detecting units 73 and 74 obtain moving amount information by the moving amount detecting units 82 and 83, respectively. . Further, the moving amount detecting sections 82, 83 are arranged at both ends of the image reading section 81 as shown in FIG. 8, and the moving amount detecting sections 82, The movement amount information 83 is output to the coordinate generation unit 75, and the coordinates of the image read by the image reading unit 81 are generated. The image generating means 72 generates image data based on the coordinate information of the image reading section 81 generated by the coordinate generating means 75 and the image information read by the image reading section 81. The movement amount detection units 82 and 83 are the image reading unit 81.
The number is not limited to the two ends, and the number may not be two.

The operation of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described below. When the scanning using the free hand scanner as described above is started, the user may start the scanning from a position inclined by a certain angle θ with respect to the horizontal and vertical lines of the document, as shown in FIG. Often happens. In this case, since the generated image data is generated with the direction of the freehand scanner at the start of reading as the reference axis, the horizontal and vertical lines of the document are the horizontal (vertical) lines that are the reference for reading.
The image data is inclined by an angle θ with respect to the line.

As described above, even if the scanning start position is inclined by the angle θ with respect to the horizontal and vertical lines of the document, as described above,
When there is a clear vertical and horizontal arrangement of the contents, such as in newspapers, magazines, etc., the user can psychologically, as shown in FIG. There is a tendency that scanning is performed in the direction of the straight traveling portion L of. In view of this, in the second embodiment, the direction in which the hand scanner scans straight is detected, and the tilt is detected by using this direction as the reading reference axis, and this direction is corrected. . Of course, the scanning of the original in the horizontal direction can be consciously performed.

That is, in the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the movement amount detecting means 73, 74 outputs the movement amount information of the movement amount detecting portions 82, 83 to the straight-ahead detecting means 76, and The image reading unit 81 according to the information about one movement amount.
The straight traveling direction of the straight traveling portion (the straight traveling portion L portion in FIG. 8) is obtained.

In the second inclination detecting means 77, the angle at which the straight-ahead direction of the image reading section 81 obtained in this way and the horizontal direction (vertical direction) of the reference coordinates for generating the image data deviate from each other. That is, the inclination θ is detected.

In the inclination correcting means 78, based on the inclination θ obtained by the second inclination detecting means 77 as described above,
The coordinate conversion of the image data is performed so as to correct the inclination θ, and thus the image data whose inclination is corrected is obtained.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention, the image reading unit 7 that includes the image reading unit 81 that can scan in any direction is used.
1 and two movement amount detecting means 73, 74 for outputting the movement amount of both ends of the image reading section 81, and each movement amount detecting means 73,
From the coordinate information output from 74, the straight-movement detecting means 7 for detecting the direction in which the image reading unit 81 has gone straight for a predetermined length or more.
6, a straight traveling direction detected by the straight traveling detecting means 76, and a second inclination detecting means 77 for detecting the inclination θ of the image read from the reference axis of the image reading unit at the start of reading the image, Inclination correction means 78 for correcting the inclination of the image data using the inclination information detected by the inclination detection means 77 of No. 2.
Therefore, even if the reading scanning of the original is started from a position inclined by the angle θ with respect to the horizontal and vertical lines of the original, if the image reading unit is scanned in the straight direction thereafter, this angle θ There is an effect that image data in which the inclination of the minute is corrected can be automatically obtained.

Embodiment 3 The image processing method according to the third embodiment of the present invention is an image processing method in which an image is read by a scanner or the like to obtain image data. It is intended to output only the necessary area of the image data after detection.

That is, the image processing method according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the image processing method for processing the image data read by the image reading means provided with the image reading unit, and the image data having a predetermined size on the image data is obtained. All the unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks constituting each of the divided block areas are detected to obtain block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area,
A blank area of an image is detected from the block data, an outermost frame composed of blank areas capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area is detected, Only the image data surrounded by the outermost frame of the detected blank area is output.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 90
Is an image generating means, 91 is a blank area detecting means, 92 is an outermost frame detecting means, and 93 is an image cutting means. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the third embodiment.

The operation of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described below. First, the image generation means 90 shown in FIG. 9 generates image data based on the information from the image reading means 71 and the coordinate generation means 75 as described in the second embodiment, for example.

Next, the blank area detecting means 91 provided with the blocking means described in the first embodiment performs blocking by a desired blocking filter, and the block data obtained by the blocking means is used for the above Detect blank areas in image data. By this block forming process, for example, a manuscript such as a newspaper or magazine shown in FIG.
When the document is composed of columns of characters, the information area (character area) and the blank area of the original can be clearly discriminated, and the blank area 101 as schematically shown in FIG. Is detected.

Next, the outermost frame detecting means 92 uses such information of the blank area 101 to determine the maximum frame which can surround all the information areas surrounded by the blank areas on all sides. The outer frame w1 is detected (FIG. 10 (b)).

The detection of the outermost frame w1 will be described.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the detection of the outermost frame, and FIG.
Is a schematic representation of block data obtained by, for example, blocking as described above, and FIG.
11 shows a frame forming area 11A composed of five vertically continuous blocks on one block data.
FIG. 1C shows a frame forming area 11B composed of five horizontally continuous blocks on the block data.
1 (d) schematically shows only the vertical and horizontal frames detected based on the block data of FIG. 11 (a). Also, the dotted line in the figure shows the detected vertical frame,
The alternate long and short dash line indicates the detected horizontal frame.

First, in the block data obtained by blocking, a predetermined length or more in the vertical direction, 5 in the case of FIG.
Frame forming area 11A as shown in FIG.
If all are blank, the centerline of the frame forming area 11A is regarded as a vertical frame as shown in FIG. obtain. In the same way, the area as shown in FIG. 11 (c), which is more than a predetermined length in the lateral direction and is continuous in the case of 5 in the figure, is
When all are blank, the center line of the frame forming area 9B is regarded as a horizontal frame as shown in FIG. ) Get.

Of the quadrangles formed by the arbitrary two vertical frames and the arbitrary two horizontal frames detected as described above,
The outermost frame w2 can be detected by obtaining a quadrangle having the maximum area. In this way, by limiting the shape of the outermost frame to a quadrangle, complicated calculations can be omitted and the outermost frame can be easily detected.

Further, in the above-mentioned outermost frame detection method, the outermost frame is limited to the quadrangle, but the other outermost frame detection method is not limited to the quadrangle. 1
An explanation will be given using 1 (d).

A line formed by tracing the detected vertical frame (dotted line in the figure) and horizontal frame (dashed line in the figure) by the following procedure is taken as the outermost frame. That is, from the leftmost uppermost point (α in the figure) among the detected vertical frames shown in FIG.
At the fork point, the direction is changed in the order of priority of left, straight, and right with respect to the traveling direction, and when the vehicle stops, the operation of returning to the previous fork is repeated, returning to the fork that has passed once, and the closed loop is executed. If formed, this means that a frame has been formed, and when returning to the starting point, the first frame detection process ends. Then, the same processing is performed from the point at the upper end of the left vertical frame next to the leftmost vertical frame. If the starting point in the second frame detection is the point that has passed in the first frame detection, the process ends there. Of the frames thus obtained, the one having the largest area is the outermost frame w
3 is assumed.

When this detection processing is performed for the frame shown in FIG. 11 (d), from the point α at the upper end of the leftmost vertical frame, the process moves to the left at the branch point 111, that is, to the right in the figure. ,
At the branch point 112, since there is no frame to the left, the vehicle goes straight, that is, goes to the right in the figure, and also at the branch point 113, goes to the right in the figure, and at the branch point 114, the branch point 115, and the branch point 116. Go right. After that, since it becomes a dead end at the point β, it returns to the branch point 119 and proceeds leftward, that is, downward in the figure. This time, it becomes a dead end at point γ, so branch point 11
Return to 6 and move to the left in the figure. At the branch point 115, proceed downward in the figure, at the branch point 11a proceed downward in the figure, and at the branch point 117, there is no frame to the left in the traveling direction, and the straight direction is a dead end, so it is rightward, that is, leftward in the figure. At the branch point 118, the left side of the traveling direction is a dead end and there is no frame in the straight traveling direction.
In 1b, since there is no frame on the left, the vehicle advances straight ahead, that is, in the upward direction in the figure, and also in the branch point 11c, similarly in the upward direction in the figure, returns to the branch point 111, returns to the point α, and ends. As a result, the outermost frame w is formed by the path forming the closed loop excluding the reciprocating path in the process for the outermost frame performed in this way.
3 is formed.

Here, in the detection of the frame, all the branch points at the upper end of each vertical frame pass, so the frame detection processing is terminated, and in the case of the block data shown in this figure, the branch point 1
The area surrounded by 11, 115, 117 and 118 is detected as the outermost frame w3.

Next, the image cutting means 93 cuts and outputs only the image data of the original image data at the position surrounded by the detected outermost frame w1 (FIG. 10 (c)).
As a result, image data of only the necessary area (Fig. 10 (d))
Can be obtained automatically.

Although the outermost frame w3 is a quadrangle in the above description, the above method can detect the outermost frame even when the maximum frame is not a quadrangle.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus in the third embodiment of the present invention, all the unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks forming each block area divided into a predetermined size on the image data are , A block forming means for detecting whether or not each block is blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and a blank area detecting means 91 for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data. And the blank area 1 detected by the blank area detecting means 91.
The outermost frame detecting means 92 for detecting the outermost frame w1 composed of the blank area, which can enclose all the information areas surrounded by blank areas from 01 to four, and the detected outermost frame w1 of the image data. Since the image cutting means 93 for outputting only the enclosed image data is provided, it is possible to detect only the necessary region out of the entire read region, and automatically obtain the image data only for the necessary region. There is an effect that can be.

Further, the outermost frame detecting means 92 detects a horizontal area which is continuous for a predetermined length or more in the horizontal direction and a vertical area for detecting a blank area which is continuous for a predetermined length or more in the vertical direction. A frame detecting unit is provided, and the maximum frame among the closing frames created by the horizontal frame detecting unit and the horizontal frame and the vertical frame detected by the vertical frame detecting unit is output as the outermost frame. The effect is that the required area of the image data can be accurately detected.

Embodiment 4 The image processing method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is an image processing method for reading an image by a freehand scanner or the like that can scan in any direction, and a plurality of images that are sequentially read are arranged side by side. As described above, the coordinates of each image data are automatically converted.

That is, the image processing method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is an image processing method for processing irregular-shaped image data read by an image reading apparatus having an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction. The end coordinates of the plurality of sequentially read image data are detected for each reading scan, and the end coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data are read last time so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. The image data is converted so as to be aligned with the other end coordinates of the image data.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Reference numeral 1 is an image reading unit, 122 is a coordinate generation unit, and 123 is an image generation unit, which is provided with a first image memory 124 and a second image memory 125. This first
The image memory 124 and the second image memory 125 may use the same memory. Further, reference numeral 126 denotes a first connecting and arranging means, and this connecting and arranging means 126 includes a coordinate converting means 127 and an end coordinate detecting means 128.

The operation of the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
First, based on the image information from the image reading unit 121 and the coordinate information from the coordinate generating unit 122, the image generating unit 123.
Image data 141 is generated in the first image memory 12
In 4, the generated image data 141 is recorded. Then, when an image switching signal indicating that the scanning of the image is switched from that of the image 141 to that of the image 142 is input to the first connection arrangement means 126, the coordinate conversion means 127
Image data 1 recorded in the first image memory 124
Enter the coordinates of 41, but in the first scan,
No coordinate conversion is performed, and the coordinates as they are are output to the second image memory 125 and the edge coordinate detection means 128. The edge coordinate detection means 128 detects and stores the edge coordinates of the coordinates output from the coordinate conversion means 127. Then, the second scanning is started, and the generated image data 142 is recorded in the first image memory 124 of the image generating means 123. After that, when an image switching signal indicating that the second scan is switched is input to the first connection arrangement unit 126, the end coordinates of the image data 141 of the previous scan recorded by the end coordinate detection unit 128 are changed. It is input to the coordinate conversion means 127, and the coordinate conversion means 127 uses the edge coordinates of the previous image data 141 and the coordinate information of the image data 142 of the second scan recorded in the first image memory 124. In order that the image data 141 obtained by the first scanning and the image data 142 obtained by the second scanning do not overlap,
In addition, the image data 142 ′ obtained by converting the coordinates of the image data 142 obtained by the second scanning so as to be connected and arranged is stored in the second image memory 125 and the edge coordinate detecting means 128. Output. Edge coordinate detection means 128
Detects and stores the edge coordinates of the coordinates of the converted image data 142 ′ output from the coordinate conversion means 127. Then, the third scanning is started, and the same processes are sequentially performed thereafter. Image data 141, 142, 1 for each scan
43 is converted image data 141, 142 ', 14
Image data sequentially connected and arranged as 3'is obtained.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the fourth embodiment, in the image processing apparatus that reads indefinite image data by the image reading unit that can scan in any direction, the plurality of image data that are sequentially read. Edge coordinates of each of the scanning is detected, and the edge coordinates of one edge of the sequentially read image data are coordinated with the other edge of the previously read image data so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. Connection arrangement means 1 for converting so that
Since 26 is provided, it is possible to automatically obtain an image in which manuscripts such as newspapers and magazines are sequentially arranged with articles separated by columns and page changes without tedious editing operations.

Further, in the image processing apparatus, the connection arranging means 126 uses the coordinates on the memory of the sequentially read image data as the end coordinates from the end coordinate detecting means 128 of the converted image data which has been subjected to the coordinate conversion immediately before. Coordinate conversion means 127 for converting the converted image data, and the edge conversion of the converted image data detected and stored from the converted image data output from the coordinate conversion means 127, and the coordinate conversion stored during the previous reading scan. Since the edge coordinate data is composed of the edge coordinate detecting means 128 which outputs the edge coordinate data to the coordinate converting means 127, the image data of the current scan can be coordinate-converted to a desired position by the edge coordinates of the image data of the previous scan.

Embodiment 5. The image processing method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the fourth embodiment, in the image processing method of reading an image by a freehand scanner or the like capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction. The coordinate of each image data is automatically converted so that each image is arranged side by side.

That is, the image processing method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is an image processing method for processing irregular-shaped image data read by an image reading apparatus having an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction. The end coordinates of the plurality of sequentially read image data are detected for each reading scan, and the end coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data are read last time so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. The image data is converted so as to be aligned with the other end coordinates of the image data.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another example of the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, in which 131 is an image reading means and 132 coordinate generation means is 1
33 is an image generation means, 134 is a second connection arrangement means, 1
Reference numeral 35 is an edge coordinate detecting means, and 136 is an initial coordinate detecting means.

The operation of the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. First, the image information from the image reading unit 131 and the coordinate generation unit 13
The image data 141 is generated by the image generation unit 133 based on the coordinate information from 2. At this time, the coordinate generation means 132 also outputs the coordinate information to the second connection arrangement means 134. Then, when the image switching signal indicating that the scanning of the image is switched is input, the edge coordinate detecting means 135 in the second connection arranging means 134 receives the scanning switching signal, and the image data 141 is obtained from the coordinate information. Detects the edge coordinates of
This edge coordinate information is output to the initial coordinate generation means 136.
The initial coordinate generation means 136 uses the detected edge coordinate information to
The initial coordinates of the image data to be displayed next, that is, the image data 142 read by the next scan are arranged side by side so as not to overlap the image data 141 of the current scan (141 (Lower left end in the drawing) is generated and output to the coordinate generation means 132. Since the coordinate generation means 132 uses the initial coordinates to generate the coordinates of the next image, the image data 1 generated by the second scan is generated.
42 'is connected to the image data obtained by the first scan. Thereafter, each time the images are sequentially read, the image data 14 in which the images are sequentially connected and arranged is displayed.
1,142 ', 143' are obtained.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the fifth embodiment, in the image processing apparatus which reads indefinite image data by the image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction, the plurality of image data sequentially read. Edge coordinates of each of the scanning is detected, and the edge coordinates of one edge of the sequentially read image data are coordinated with the other edge of the previously read image data so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. Connection arrangement means 1 for converting so that
Since 34 is provided, it is possible to automatically obtain an image in which manuscripts, such as newspapers and magazines, in which articles separated by columns and page changes are sequentially arranged side by side without a troublesome editing operation.

Further, the connection arranging means 134 uses the edge coordinate detecting means 135 for detecting the edge coordinates of the read image data and the edge coordinates output from the edge coordinate detecting means 135 for each reading scan, and Since the initial coordinate generating means 136 for generating initial coordinates for generating an image is provided, it is possible to obtain image data sequentially connected and arranged in real time.

Sixth Embodiment The image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention uses a freehand scanner to compare image data in an overlapping region of image data for each scan when reading a document, and to shift the position of the image data for each scan. In the image processing method for obtaining image data of a large area without deviation by correcting, the inclination of the image is automatically corrected, only the necessary area is cut, and the image data of the cut area is sequentially arranged. It is intended to automatically convert the coordinates of each image data so as to be arranged.

An image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a block diagram for explaining the image processing apparatus used in the sixth embodiment, which shows the image processing apparatus shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-80568 mentioned in the conventional example. In the figure, 150 is an original, 151 is an image reading unit, 152a and 152b are movement amount detection units, and 15
3 is a coordinate generation means, 154 is a scanning position detection circuit, 155.
Is an image generating means, 156 is an image buffer, 157 is a mapping circuit, 158 is a displacement detection circuit, and 159 is an image memory.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a document is scanned using the freehand scanner of this image processing apparatus, and is on a line connecting points A and B (hereinafter referred to as "reading position AB"). The scanning is performed from a line (referred to) to a line connecting the points C and D (reading position C-D), then folded, and then scanned up to a line connecting the points E and F (reading position E-F). .

The image processing apparatus sequentially inputs the image data read by scanning the original 150 and the scanning position corresponding to the image data, and stores the image data in the image memory 159 based on the scanning position. In the image processing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 16, the overlap scanning area (area CEGD) for overlapping scanning from the image data of the scanning area CDFE and the storage data of the area ABCD stored in the image memory 159 is used. Means for detecting the positional deviation of the scanning position by the positional deviation detection circuit 158 and outputting a correction value for correcting the positional deviation, and a mapping circuit for storing the image data in the image memory based on the corrected scanning position. 15
7 is provided, whereby high-quality image data with no positional deviation can be obtained. Using such an image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus of the sixth embodiment is configured as in the following examples.

Embodiment 1 The image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the sixth embodiment includes, in addition to the above-described image processing apparatus shown in FIG. Tilt correction means 13
And the blank area detection means 91, the outermost frame detection means 92, and the image cutting means 93 as described in the third embodiment, and the first connection arrangement means 126 as described in the fourth embodiment. With this, it is possible to obtain corrected image data in which the inclination of the image data is corrected,
It is possible to obtain the image data in which only the necessary area of the corrected image data is cut out, and to obtain the image data in which the cut out images are arranged side by side.

In the image processing apparatus of Example 1 of Embodiment 6, in this case, the image generation means 10 shown in FIG.
13 corresponds to the image generation means 155 shown in FIG. 13, and the corrected image data output from the inclination correction means 13 shown in FIG. As a result, the image data output from the image cropping unit 93 is recorded in the first image memory 124 of FIG.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the sixth embodiment, the image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction is provided, the image reading unit for reading the image data, and the read image data. It is detected whether or not all the unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks forming each block area divided into the above predetermined size are blank, and whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area is detected. Blocking means 11 for outputting the block data shown, and first tilt detecting means 12 for detecting the tilt of the image from the block data.
And a tilt correction means 1 for correcting the tilt of the image data using the tilt information output from the first tilt detection means 12.
3, a blank area detecting unit 91 for detecting a blank area of an image from block data, and a blank area capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting unit 91. Outermost frame detecting means 92 for detecting the outermost frame made up of areas, and image cutting means 93 for outputting only the image data of the image data enclosed by the detected outermost frame are provided. The edge coordinates of the image data are detected for each reading scan, and the edge coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data are transferred to the other of the previously read image data so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. Since the connecting and arranging means 126 for converting so as to align with the end coordinates of the end is provided, the inclination of the article is corrected, necessary portions are cut out, and each of them is cut without any troublesome editing operation. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain the image data article part is arranged automatically.

Example 2. Further, although the configuration of the first embodiment is provided in order to correct the tilt in the above-described first embodiment, the tilt correction can be performed by the structure described in the second embodiment. Is shown in FIG.
In addition to the image processing apparatus of FIG. 5, the straight-ahead detection means 76, the second inclination detection means 77 of FIG.
And a tilt correction means 78, and further includes a blank area detection means 91 and an outermost frame detection means 9 as described in the third embodiment.
2. The image cutting means 93 is provided, and the first connection arrangement means 126 as described in the fourth embodiment is further provided.
Thereby, it is possible to obtain corrected image data in which the inclination of the image data is corrected, obtain image data in which only the necessary area of the corrected image data is cut out, and arrange the cut out images in line. The arranged image data can be obtained.

In the image processing apparatus of Example 2 of Embodiment 6, in this case, the image generating means 72 shown in FIG.
Corresponds to the image generation means 155 shown in FIG. 15, and the signals obtained by the movement amount detection units 152 and 152b shown in FIG. 15 are input to the straight-ahead detection means 76 shown in FIG. The corrected image data output from the inclination correction unit 78 shown in FIG. 9 is input to the blank area detection unit 91 and the image clipping unit 93 in FIG. 9, and the image data output from the image clipping unit 93 is the first image in FIG. Will be recorded in the image memory 124.

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the sixth embodiment, the image reading unit 81 capable of scanning in any direction is provided, and the image reading unit 71 for reading image data and the image reading unit. Outputs the movement amount of both ends of the part 91 2
One moving amount detecting means 73, 74 and each moving amount detecting means 7
From the respective movement amount information output from 3, 74, the straight advancing detection means 76 for detecting the direction in which the image reading section 81 has gone straight ahead for a predetermined length, the straight advancing direction detected by the straight advancing detection means 76, and this image A second tilt detecting unit 77 for detecting the tilt of the image read from the reference axis of the image reading unit at the start of reading, and the tilt information detected by the second tilt detecting unit 77 is used to extract the image data. The inclination correcting unit 78 for correcting the inclination and the unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks forming each block area divided into a predetermined size on the image data are detected as to whether or not each unit block is blank, and Blocking means for outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and blank area detecting means 91 for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data,
Outermost frame detecting means 92 for detecting the outermost frame composed of blank areas, which can enclose all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means 91, and image data Of the detected image data enclosed by the outermost frame, and the edge coordinates of the plurality of image data that are sequentially read are detected for each reading scan. Since the arrangement arrangement means 126 is provided so as to align the end coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data with the end coordinates of the other end of the previously read image data so that the image data are arranged side by side, it is troublesome. The effect of being able to automatically obtain the image data in which the image inclination is corrected, the necessary portions are cut out, and the respective article portions are arranged is automatically obtained without performing a complicated editing operation. .

Example 3. In the example 1 of the sixth embodiment described above, an example in which the first embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment are combined, and in the second example, the first embodiment is described. Although the embodiments performed by combining the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment have been described, respectively, the first embodiment and the second embodiment that perform the inclination correction process perform the process of cutting out a necessary area of the image data. An image processing apparatus that performs three types of processing, that is, the third embodiment to be performed, the fourth embodiment to perform processing for connecting and arranging image data, and the fifth embodiment, is an embodiment different from the first and second embodiments. It is also possible to configure the image processing apparatus by combining the desired processing (desired embodiment) according to the purpose. Can be configured Kill.

As described above, the processing for correcting the inclination described in the first embodiment (or the second embodiment) and the processing for cutting out and outputting only the image data of the desired area described in the third embodiment, Further, according to the image processing apparatus of the sixth embodiment, which is combined with the processing of connecting and arranging the image data described in the fourth embodiment (or the fifth embodiment) so as to be sequentially arranged, Automatically corrects the inclination, detects only the necessary area, cuts it out manually, and automatically arranges the image data of the cut out area, so that the user can sequentially copy each article part of the manuscript such as newspaper magazine. The effect of being able to obtain image data in which the inclination of the article is automatically corrected, necessary portions are cut out, and the respective article portions are arrayed can be automatically obtained by only scanning, without complicated editing operations.

Further, the processing for cutting out and outputting only the image data of the desired area described in the third embodiment, and in addition, the image data described in the fourth embodiment (or the fifth embodiment) are connected so as to be sequentially arranged. In the embodiment which is performed in combination with the arranging process, the edge coordinates are detected by detecting the edge coordinates from the cut image data output from the image cutting means, thereby arranging the image data more orderly. There is an effect that can be.

[0106]

According to the image processing method of the present invention (Claim 1), in the image processing method for processing the image data read by the image reading means having the image reading section, a predetermined size on the image data is provided. All the unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks that make up each of the divided block areas are detected to determine whether or not each block area is blank, and block data indicating whether each of the plurality of block areas is an information area or a blank area is generated. Then, the boundary between the information area and the blank area of the image is detected from the block data, the inclination of the read image is detected from the detected boundary, and the inclination of the image of the image data is corrected. The inclination of the image can be automatically detected and corrected, and thus there is an effect that the image data whose inclination is automatically corrected can be obtained even if the user does not perform a troublesome operation.

According to the image processing method of the present invention (Claim 2), there is provided an image processing method for processing image data read by an image reading means having an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction. The image reading unit is moved straight in a certain reference direction for a predetermined length or more, and the straightened direction is detected from two movement amount detection outputs indicating the movement amounts of both ends of the image reading unit. The inclination of the read image is detected from the reference axis of the image reading unit at the start of reading the image, and the inclination of the image in the image data is corrected. Even if you start scanning the original from an inclined position,
After that, the image reading unit is moved straight in the reference direction and scanned, whereby there is an effect that the image data in which the inclination by the angle θ is corrected can be automatically obtained.

According to the image processing method of the present invention (Claim 3), in the image processing method for processing the image data read by the image reading means having the image reading unit, a predetermined size on the image data is provided. The block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area is detected by detecting whether or not all the unit blocks of the plurality of unit blocks constituting each of the divided block areas are blank. ,
Detecting a blank area of the image from the block data, detecting an outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by the blank area on all sides from the blank area,
Since only the image data surrounded by the outermost frame of the detected blank area of the image data is output, it is possible to detect only the necessary area out of all the read areas, and the image of only the necessary area is detected. There is an effect that data can be obtained automatically.

Further, according to the image processing method of the present invention (claim 4), in the image processing method for processing the image data read by the image reading device having the image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction, Detecting the edge coordinates of the plurality of image data to be read for each scanning scan,
In order that the plurality of image data are arranged side by side,
Since the coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data are converted to match the coordinates of the other end of the previously read image data, articles separated by columns and page changes in manuscripts such as newspaper magazines are sequentially arranged. The arranged image,
There is an effect that can be obtained automatically without a troublesome editing operation.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 5), the image reading unit is provided, the image reading unit for reading the image data, and each block divided into a predetermined size on the read image data. Blocking means for detecting whether or not all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks forming an area are blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, Since the first inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination of the image from the block data and the inclination correcting means for correcting the inclination of the image data by using the inclination information output from the first inclination detecting means are provided, It is possible to automatically detect and correct the tilt of the image, which has the effect of being able to obtain image data whose tilt is automatically corrected without the user performing a troublesome operation. .

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (claim 6), an image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction is provided.
From the image reading means for reading the image data, the two movement amount detecting means for outputting the movement amount of both ends of the image reading portion, and the movement amount information output from each of the movement amount detecting means,
The image reading unit reads from a straight-movement detection unit that detects a direction in which the image has moved straight for a predetermined length or more, a straight-movement direction detected by the straight-movement detection unit, and a reference axis of the image reading unit at the start of reading the image. Since the second inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination of the image and the inclination correcting means for correcting the inclination of the image data by using the inclination information detected by the second inclination detecting means are provided, Angle from horizontal and vertical lines
Even if the reading scanning of the original is started from the tilted position, the image reading unit can automatically obtain the image data in which the tilt by the angle θ is corrected by moving the image reading unit straight in the reference direction for scanning. effective.

Further, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 7), the image reading unit is provided, and the image reading unit for reading the image data and the predetermined size on the read image data are partitioned. Blocking means for detecting whether all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks forming each block area are blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area. Blank area detection means for detecting a blank area of the image from the block data, and a blank area capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detection means The outermost frame detecting means for detecting the outermost frame and the image cutting means for outputting only the image data of the image data surrounded by the detected outermost frame. It is possible to detect only the space required within the entire area was read, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain automatically the image data of only the necessary area.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (claim 8), an image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction is provided.
Image reading means for reading image data, and edge coordinates of a plurality of image data of arbitrary size to be sequentially read are detected for each reading scan, and the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged so as to be arranged side by side. Since the end coordinates of one end of the read image data are converted to match the end coordinates of the other end of the previously read image data, articles separated by columns or page changes in manuscripts such as newspaper magazines are arranged sequentially. The obtained image can be automatically obtained without a troublesome editing operation.

Further, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 9), the image reading unit is provided, and the image reading unit for reading the image data and the predetermined size on the read image data are partitioned. Blocking means for detecting whether all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks forming each block area are blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area. A first inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination of the image from the block data, and an inclination correcting means for correcting the inclination of the image data using the inclination information output from the first inclination detecting means, And a blank area detecting means for detecting a blank area of the image from the block data obtained by the blocking means, and a square area from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means. Outermost frame detecting means for detecting the outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by a blank area, and only the image data of the image data enclosed by the outermost frame detected Since the image cutting means for outputting the Even if the user does not perform a troublesome operation, the tilt is automatically corrected, and the image data in which only the necessary area is selected can be obtained.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 10), the image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction is provided, and the image reading unit for reading the image data and the movement of both ends of the image reading unit. Two movement amount detecting means for outputting the amount, straight movement detecting means for detecting a direction in which the image reading unit has gone straight for a predetermined length or more, based on each movement amount information output from each movement amount detecting means, Second tilt detecting means for detecting the tilt of the image read from the straight direction detected by the straight detecting means and the reference axis of the image reading section at the start of reading the image, and the second tilt detecting means. An inclination correction unit that corrects the inclination of the image data by using the inclination information detected by the above, and all of a plurality of unit blocks that form each block area divided into a predetermined size on the image data. Unit of Blocking means for detecting whether the lock is blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and a blank area for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data A detection means, and an outermost frame detection means for detecting an outermost frame composed of a blank area, which can enclose all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detection means. Since the image cutting means for outputting only the detected image data of the image data surrounded by the outermost frame is provided, the reading scanning of the original is started from the position inclined by the angle θ from the horizontal and vertical lines of the original. However, by moving the image reading unit straight in the reference direction and scanning the image data, the image data in which the inclination of this angle θ has been corrected can be automatically obtained and the reading can be performed. In addition, it is possible to detect only the necessary area of all the areas, so that even if the user does not perform a troublesome operation, the tilt is automatically corrected and only the necessary area is selected to obtain image data. There is an effect that can be.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 11), an image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction is provided, and an image reading unit for reading image data and a predetermined unit on the read image data. Block data indicating whether all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks forming each block area divided into the size are blank and indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area. A block forming means for outputting, a blank area detecting means for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data, and all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means. Outermost frame detection means for detecting the outermost frame which can be surrounded and is composed of a blank area, and an image for outputting only the image data of the image data enclosed by the detected outermost frame. One of the sequentially read image data is provided so that the edge coordinates of the plurality of image data that are sequentially read are respectively detected for each reading scan, and that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. Since the connection arrangement means for converting the edge coordinates of the edge to the edge coordinate of the other edge of the previously read image data is provided, it is possible to detect only the necessary area of the entire area that has been read, and newspaper magazines An image in which only the necessary areas of articles separated by columns and page changes are arranged side by side in a manuscript, etc., without tedious editing operations.
There is an effect that can be obtained automatically.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 12), an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction is provided, and an image reading unit for reading image data and a predetermined unit on the read image data. Block data indicating whether or not all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks constituting each block area divided into the size are blank and indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area. Is output from the block data, the first inclination detection unit detects the inclination of the image from the block data, and the inclination information output from the first inclination detection unit is used to correct the inclination of the image data. Inclination correction means, blank area detection means for detecting a blank area of the image from the block data, and blank areas surrounded by four blank areas from the blank area detected by the blank area detection means. An outermost frame detecting means for detecting an outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all the information areas that are surrounded, and an image for outputting only the image data of the image data enclosed by the detected outermost frame. One of the sequentially read image data is provided so that the edge coordinates of the plurality of image data that are sequentially read are respectively detected for each reading scan, and the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. Since the connection arrangement means for converting the edge coordinates of the edge to the edge coordinate of the other edge of the previously read image data is provided, it is possible to automatically detect and correct the tilt of the image, and also to read all the read data. It is possible to detect only the necessary area of the area, and this automatically corrects the inclination without any troublesome operation by the user, so that there is no column or page change in manuscripts such as newspapers and magazines. The images placed side by side only the necessary areas of articles separated successively by an effect that can be automatically obtained.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 13), an image reading unit capable of scanning in any direction is provided, and the image reading unit for reading image data and the movement of both ends of the image reading unit. Two movement amount detecting means for outputting the amount, straight movement detecting means for detecting a direction in which the image reading unit has gone straight for a predetermined length or more, based on each movement amount information output from each movement amount detecting means, Second tilt detecting means for detecting the tilt of the image read from the straight direction detected by the straight detecting means and the reference axis of the image reading unit at the start of reading the image, and the second tilt detecting means. An inclination correction unit that corrects the inclination of the image data by using the inclination information detected by the above, and all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks that form each block area divided into a predetermined size on the image data. , Blocking means for detecting whether it is white or not, and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and a blank area detecting means for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data. An outermost frame detecting means for detecting an outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means; Image cutting means for outputting only the detected image data enclosed by the outermost frame, and detecting the edge coordinates of the plurality of sequentially read image data for each scanning, Convert the end coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data to the end coordinates of the other end of the previously read image data so that the image data are arranged side by side. Since the connection arranging means is provided, even if the reading scanning of the original is started from a position inclined by the angle θ with respect to the horizontal and vertical lines of the original, the angle θ is obtained by moving the image reading unit straight in the reference direction and scanning. The inclination of the minute can be corrected, and only the necessary area can be detected out of the entire area that has been scanned, which allows the inclination to be automatically corrected without the user performing a troublesome operation. In a manuscript such as a newspaper or magazine, there is an effect that it is possible to automatically obtain an image in which only necessary areas of articles separated by columns and page changes are sequentially arranged.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 14), the image processing apparatus (Claim 5, 9 or 1)
In 2), the first inclination detecting means detects the edge of the information area of the image from the block data, and the information area edge detecting the inclination of the image from the edge of the detected information area. Since the inclination detecting means is provided, it is possible to detect the boundary between the information area and the blank area of the image data, and it is possible to accurately detect the inclination of the image data.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 15), the image processing apparatus (Claim 5, 9 or 1) is provided.
In 2), since the blocking unit includes a switching unit that switches the size of the block area according to the image to be read, it is possible to perform blocking in the block area having a size suitable for the target original image, As a result, the tilt detection by the first tilt detection means
There is an effect that can be performed accurately.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 16), the image processing apparatus (Claims 7, 9 to 1)
In 3), the outermost frame detection means includes horizontal frame detection means for detecting a blank area continuous in a horizontal direction for a predetermined length or more,
A vertical frame detection unit for detecting a blank area continuous in a vertical direction for a predetermined length or more, and a horizontal frame detection unit, and a closed frame created by the horizontal frame and the vertical frame detected by the vertical frame detection unit. Since the largest frame among them is output as the outermost frame, it is possible to detect only the blank area that should be regarded as the frame, and it is possible to accurately select the outermost frame including only the necessary area.

Further, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 17), in the image processing apparatus (Claims 8 and 11 to 13), the connection arrangement means is on the memory of the image data to be sequentially read. From the converted image data output from the coordinate conversion means, the coordinate conversion means for converting the coordinates using the edge coordinates from the edge coordinate detection means of the converted image data immediately before the coordinate conversion Since the edge coordinates of the data are detected and stored, and the edge coordinate data that has been subjected to the coordinate conversion stored at the time of the previous reading scan is output to the coordinate conversion means.
The image data of the current scan can be coordinate-converted to a desired position by the edge coordinates of the image data of the previous scan, and the images in which the separated articles are sequentially arranged are arranged without a troublesome editing operation.
There is an effect that can be obtained automatically.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 18), in the image processing apparatus (Claim 8 or 11 to 13), the connection arranging means is configured to read the read image data every scan. Since it is provided with an edge coordinate detecting means for detecting the edge coordinate of and an initial coordinate generating means for generating an initial coordinate for generating the next image using the edge coordinate output from the edge coordinate detecting means. There is an effect that the separated articles can obtain image data in which the separated articles are sequentially arranged in real time without a troublesome editing operation.

Further, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 19), in the image processing apparatus (Claims 8 and 11 to 13), the coordinate conversion means has the coordinates of the sequentially read image data overlapped. Since the connection is arranged so as not to occur, it is possible to obtain the image data in which the separated articles are connected and arranged so that they can be easily seen.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention (Claim 20), the image processing apparatus (Claims 11 to 1)
In 3), the detection of the edge coordinates detects the edge coordinates from the clipped image data output from the image clipping means, so that the image data in which only necessary regions are arranged more neatly can be troublesomely edited. There is an effect that can be automatically obtained without the operation of.

[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 schematic diagram showing a blocking filter.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing block data.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining detection of an information area edge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining detection of an inclination of an information area edge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating reading of image processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an image processing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining detection of the outermost frame in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an image processing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an image processing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation in the fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an image processing device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 image generating means, 11 blocking means, 12 first inclination detecting means, 13 inclination correcting means, 20, 21,
22, 23 blocking filter, 31 information area, 3
2 blank area, 41 information area edge detecting means, 42
Information area edge inclination detecting means 51-57 filter,
71 image reading means, 72 image generating means, 73, 74
Moving amount detecting means, 75 Coordinate generating means, 76 Straight line detecting means, 77 Second inclination detecting means, 78 Inclination correcting means, 81 Image reading section, 82, 83 Moving amount detecting section, 9
0 image generating means, 91 blank area detecting means, 92 outermost frame detecting means, 93 image cutting means, 101 blank area,
11A frame forming area, 11B frame forming area, 111 to 1
18 branch points, 121 image reading means, 122 coordinate generation means, 123 image generation means, 124 first image memory, 125 second image memory, 126 first connection arrangement means, 127 coordinate conversion means, 128 end coordinate detection Means, 131 image reading means, 132 coordinate generation means, 1
33 image generation means, 134 second connection arrangement means, 1
35 edge coordinate detecting means, 136 initial coordinate detecting means, 1
41, 142, 143 original image area, 150 originals, 1
51 image reading unit, 152a, 152b movement amount detecting unit, 153 coordinate generating means, 154 scanning position detecting circuit, 155 image generating means, 156 image buffer, 1
57 mapping circuit, 158 positional deviation detection circuit, 159
Image memory.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Akiyuki Naka, 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Atsumi Soga At 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for processing image data read by image reading means having an image reading unit, wherein a plurality of unit blocks constituting each block area divided into a predetermined size on the image data. Block data indicating whether each of the plurality of block areas is an information area or a blank area is detected by detecting whether or not all the unit blocks are blank, and from the block data, an image information area and a blank area An image processing method comprising: detecting a boundary, detecting a tilt of the read image from the detected boundary, and correcting a tilt of the image of the image data. 2. An image processing method for processing image data read by an image reading unit having an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, wherein the image reading unit goes straight in a certain reference direction for a predetermined length or more. The straight-ahead direction is detected from two movement amount detection outputs that indicate the amount of movement of both ends of the image reading unit. The detected straight-ahead direction and the reference axis of the image reading unit at the start of reading the image are detected. From the above, an image processing method comprising: detecting the inclination of the read image, and correcting the inclination of the image of the image data. 3. An image processing method for processing image data read by an image reading unit having an image reading unit, wherein a plurality of unit blocks forming each block area divided into a predetermined size on the image data. Block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area is detected by detecting whether or not all the unit blocks are blank, and the blank area of the image is detected from the block data, and the blank area is detected. Detecting an outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by the blank area on all sides, and detecting only the image data of the image data surrounded by the outermost frame of the detected blank area. An image processing method comprising the process of outputting 4. An image processing method for processing image data read by an image reading device equipped with an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, wherein edge coordinates of a plurality of the image data sequentially read are read for each scanning. A process of converting the end coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data into the end coordinates of the other end of the previously read image data so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. An image processing method characterized by the above. 5. An image reading unit that includes an image reading unit, and an image reading unit that reads image data, and all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks that constitute each block area divided into a predetermined size on the read image data. , A block forming means for detecting whether or not each block is blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and a first inclination for detecting an image inclination from the block data. An image processing apparatus comprising: a detection unit; and a tilt correction unit that corrects the tilt of the image data using the tilt information output from the first tilt detection unit. 6. An image reading unit for reading image data, comprising an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, two movement amount detecting units for outputting movement amounts of both ends of the image reading unit, and each movement. From each movement amount information output from the amount detection means, a straight-movement detecting means for detecting a direction in which the image reading portion has gone straight for a predetermined length or more, a straight-movement direction detected by the straight-movement detecting means, and reading of this image A second tilt detecting unit that detects a tilt of the image read from the reference axis of the image reading unit at the time of start, and a tilt of the image data using the tilt information detected by the second tilt detecting unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: an inclination correcting unit for correcting. 7. An image reading unit that includes an image reading unit, and an image reading unit that reads image data, and all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks that form each block area divided into a predetermined size on the read image data. , A block forming means for detecting whether or not each block is blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and a blank area detection for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data. Means, and an outermost frame detection means for detecting an outermost frame composed of a blank area, which can surround all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detection means, An image cutting device for outputting only the detected image data of the image data surrounded by the outermost frame. 8. An image reading unit which is capable of scanning in arbitrary directions, and which reads image data, detects edge coordinates of a plurality of image data of arbitrary sizes that are sequentially read, and detects the end coordinates for each scanning. Then, a connection arrangement means is provided for converting the end coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data into the end coordinates of the other end of the previously read image data so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. An image processing device characterized by the above. 9. An image reading unit that includes an image reading unit, and an image reading unit that reads image data, and all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks that form each block area divided into a predetermined size on the read image data. , A block forming means for detecting whether or not each block is blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and a first inclination for detecting an image inclination from the block data. A blank of an image is provided from the block data obtained by the blocking unit, which includes a detection unit and a tilt correction unit that corrects the tilt of the image data using the tilt information output from the first tilt detection unit. A blank area detecting means for detecting an area, and all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means. An outermost frame detecting means for detecting an outermost frame formed of a blank area, and an image cutting means for outputting only the image data of the image data enclosed by the detected outermost frame. Image processing device. 10. An image reading unit for reading image data, comprising an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, two movement amount detecting units for outputting movement amounts of both ends of the image reading unit, and each movement. From each movement amount information output from the amount detection means, a straight-movement detection means for detecting a direction in which the image reading portion has gone straight for a predetermined length or more, a straight-movement direction detected by the straight-movement detection means, and this image are read. A second tilt detecting unit that detects a tilt of the image read from the reference axis of the image reading unit at the time of start, and a tilt of the image data using the tilt information detected by the second tilt detecting unit. An inclination correcting unit for correcting, and detecting whether or not all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks forming each block area divided into a predetermined size on the image data are blank, Above Blocking means for outputting block data indicating whether each block is an information area or a blank area, blank area detecting means for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data, and the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means An outermost frame detecting means for detecting an outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all four sides, and surrounded by the detected outermost frame of the image data An image processing apparatus comprising: an image cropping unit that outputs only image data. 11. An image reading unit for reading image data, comprising an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, and a plurality of block regions each of which is divided into a predetermined size on the read image data. Blocking means for detecting whether or not all the unit blocks of the unit block are blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and a blank of an image from the block data A blank area detecting means for detecting an area, and an outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all the information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means Outer frame detection means and image cropping means for outputting only the image data of the image data enclosed by the detected outermost frames, The edge coordinates of the image data are detected for each scanning, and the edge coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data are transferred to the other of the previously read image data so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a connection arrangement unit that performs conversion so that the coordinates are aligned with the end coordinates. 12. An image reading unit that is capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, and an image reading unit that reads image data, and a plurality of block areas that are divided into a predetermined size on the read image data. Blocking means for detecting whether or not all unit blocks of the unit block are blank and outputting block data indicating whether each of the plurality of blocks is an information area or a blank area, and an inclination of an image from the block data A first inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination, an inclination correcting means for correcting the inclination of the image data by using the inclination information output from the first inclination detecting means, and detecting a blank area of the image from the block data. A blank area detecting means, and a blank area capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by blank areas on all sides from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means. An outermost frame detecting means for detecting an outermost frame composed of a region, and an image cutting means for outputting only the image data of the image data surrounded by the detected outermost frame, and a plurality of sequentially read The edge coordinates of the image data are detected for each reading scan, and the edge coordinates of one end of the sequentially read image data are transferred to the other end of the previously read image data so that the plurality of image data are sequentially arranged. An image processing apparatus comprising a connection arranging unit that performs conversion so as to align with the end coordinates of the image. 13. An image reading unit for scanning image data, comprising an image reading unit capable of scanning in an arbitrary direction, two movement amount detecting units for outputting movement amounts of both ends of the image reading unit, and each movement. From each movement amount information output from the amount detection means, a straight-movement detecting means for detecting a direction in which the image reading portion has gone straight for a predetermined length or more, a straight-movement direction detected by the straight-movement detecting means, and reading of this image A second tilt detecting unit that detects a tilt of the image read from the reference axis of the image reading unit at the time of start, and a tilt of the image data using the tilt information detected by the second tilt detecting unit. Inclination correcting means for correcting and detecting whether or not all unit blocks of a plurality of unit blocks forming each block area divided into a predetermined size on the image data are blank, and detecting each of the plurality of unit blocks. Block Is a block means for outputting block data indicating whether it is an information area or a blank area, a blank area detecting means for detecting a blank area of an image from the block data, and four directions from the blank area detected by the blank area detecting means. Outermost frame detection means for detecting an outermost frame composed of a blank area capable of enclosing all information areas surrounded by a blank area; and only the image data of the image data enclosed by the outermost frame detected. And an image cropping means for outputting, and detecting the end coordinates of the plurality of image data that are sequentially read for each reading scan, and sequentially reading so that the plurality of image data are arranged side by side. An image characterized by comprising connection arrangement means for converting the end coordinates of one end of the image data into the end coordinates of the other end of the image data previously read Management apparatus. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, 9, or 12, wherein the first inclination detection means detects an edge of an information area of an image from the block data. An image processing apparatus comprising: a means and an information area edge inclination detecting means for detecting an inclination of an image from the detected edge of the information area. 15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the blocking unit includes a switching unit that switches a size of the block area according to an image to be read. Image processing device. 16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, or 9 to 13, wherein the outermost frame detection means detects a horizontal frame for detecting a blank area continuous in a horizontal direction for a predetermined length or more. Means and a vertical frame detecting means for detecting a blank area continuous in the vertical direction for a predetermined length or more, and are created by the horizontal frame detecting means and the horizontal frame and the vertical frame detected by the vertical frame detecting means. An image processing apparatus, which outputs the maximum frame among the closed frames as an outermost frame. 17. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, or 11 to 13, wherein the connection arranging unit converts the coordinates of the sequentially read image data in the memory into a converted image immediately before. Coordinate conversion means for converting the data using the edge coordinates from the edge coordinate detection means to be described later, and detecting and storing the edge coordinates of the converted image data from the converted image data output from the coordinate conversion means. Then
An image processing apparatus, comprising: edge coordinate detection means for outputting the coordinate-transformed edge coordinate data stored at the time of the previous reading scan to the coordinate transformation means. 18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, or 11, wherein the connection arrangement means includes an edge coordinate detection means for detecting edge coordinates of the read image data for each reading scan. An image processing apparatus, comprising: initial coordinate generation means for generating initial coordinates for generating a next image using the edge coordinates output from the edge coordinate detection means. 19. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, or 11 to 13, wherein the coordinate conversion means is connected and arranged so that the coordinates of the sequentially read image data do not overlap. A characteristic image processing device. 20. The image processing device according to claim 11, wherein the detection of the edge coordinates is performed by detecting the edge coordinates from the cut image data output from the image cutting means. An image processing device characterized by being present.