JPH0937066A - System and method for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently confirm the final image of copying by ignoring a specified editing processing when area processing is set and preview-displaying an image according to editing processing set in advance. SOLUTION: After a read image is given variable set editing processing, a signal is sent to a preview processing part 217 and converted to the color signal of RGB and after then the most efficient size for the whole image to be in the area of an image memory is calculated from a set displaying direction, a scale factor, the size of the original, etc., and data is written in. This data in the image memory is given correction by the characteristic of a monitor 219 by a monitor and gamma correction part and transferred to the monitor 219 by a display controller to display a preview image. When an area is specified by editing processing at this time, the setting of the scale factor, rotation and moving is ignored but the preview image is displayed in the state of unmagnification, no-rotation and not-moving.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming method for displaying a preview image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital color copiers have been improved in image quality and function, and the color and editing processing of output images have become more difficult.
To a large extent, it has been able to meet user expectations. In such a situation, in order to obtain a desired output image, a copier having a so-called preview function of displaying an image on a monitor or the like and confirming the image instead of outputting the image on recording paper many times has been commercialized. Is starting to be.

Some copiers of this type use a black-and-white liquid crystal display to display the read original image,
Although there is a confirmation device, when the copying machine is a color copying machine, the color of an output image cannot be confirmed on a monochrome display device. Therefore, it is desirable that the display device is also a full-color display preview system.

FIG. 1 shows an example of this type of conventional system configuration, in which components designated by reference numerals 101 to 109 constitute a full-color copying machine, and 110, 111, and 219 are preview components.

Specifically, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an RGB output sensor (CC) for reading a reflected image from a document.
D) and 102 are S / H (sample & hold) and A / H
D conversion circuit, 103 is a circuit for performing shading correction, 104 is an input masking circuit, 105 is a LOG conversion circuit, 106 is a masking UCR section for adjusting the color to the characteristics of a printer section described later, 107 is trimming, masking, A circuit for performing various kinds of image editing such as painting and zooming; 108, an edge emphasis circuit;
A printer unit (color LBP) scans a reflection document (not shown) three to four times to obtain a full-color image output.

Reference numeral 110 denotes an image memory unit for storing an image signal (RGB) after masking by the input masking circuit 104, and 111 denotes a memory control unit (not shown) for controlling the image memory unit 110. (A counter and a CPU exchange data with the image memory unit 110.) Reference numeral 219 denotes a CRT for displaying information from the image memory unit. Here, even if the read image is simply displayed in full color on the monitor and the desired editing process is set from the operation unit (not shown), it is not reflected on this monitor. Therefore, the memory information stored in the image memory unit 110 is configured to be arbitrarily accessible by a CPU (not shown), and an editing process equivalent to that in the editing circuit 107 is performed by software to obtain a final image. Like that.

Further, in a digital color copying machine, there is a strong demand for high-speed operation, and in order to respond to the demand, the apparatus is provided with four photosensitive drums.
A color LBP having a developing unit for each of M, C, and K has been proposed. In such an apparatus, an image memory for compensating for a spatial deviation between the photosensitive drums is essential, and it is desirable to have a full-page image memory in order to realize more advanced image processing.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional color copying machine, if all the image processing of the copying machine itself is to be replaced by software control, the amount of software becomes enormous, and furthermore, the number of software settings is increased. If the number of functions is large, the operation time by software is correspondingly increased, which causes a problem in terms of time and cost.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional color copying machine, it is difficult to display the area when the area is reduced and the area processing is performed, and when the magnification, movement or rotation processing is performed, the area is displayed on the monitor. There is a problem that the calculation of the display position of is complicated and the processing speed is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming system capable of efficiently confirming a final image of a copy by a preview display.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a display means for previewing an image obtained by scanning a document on a predetermined display device for the purpose of confirming the image. An image forming system comprising: a storage unit that stores the image; a unit that specifies an editing process for the stored image; and a unit that performs a first editing process on the image according to the specified editing process. A means for determining whether or not area processing is set for the image,
And a means for changing the first editing process to a second editing process when the area processing is set, and the display means displays the second editing process when the area processing is set. The changed image is preview-displayed on the display device, and when the area processing is not set, the image subjected to the first editing is preview-displayed.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the internal configuration of the digital copying apparatus according to this embodiment. The digital copying apparatus shown in the figure reads a color original document and further performs digital editing processing or the like on the color original reader unit 35.
1 and a different image holder, the color reader unit 3
The printer unit 352 reproduces a color image according to the digital image signal of each color sent from the printer 51.

Reference numeral 219 denotes a monitor used at the time of preview, which is connected to the main body of the digital copying apparatus by a VGA interface. (Structure of Reader Unit) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the digital image processing unit of the color reader unit 351 of the digital copying apparatus according to this embodiment. Here, a color document on a document table (not shown) is exposed by a halogen lamp (not shown). As a result, the reflected image from the original is CCD2.
An image is captured at 01, further sampled and held by the S / H (sample & hold) and A / D converter 202, and then A / D converted to generate digital signals of three colors RGB.

The respective color separation data are subjected to shading correction and black correction in the shading correction unit 203, correction to an NTSC signal in the input masking unit 204, and the color conversion unit 20.
After the color conversion in step 5, the result is input to the synthesis unit 206. The synthesizing unit 206 is for synthesizing the image data of the reflection document and the output data of the image memory unit 208. The LOG correction unit 207 performs LOG correction processing on the processing result. The unit 2 (234) performs a scaling process (when scaling is set).

Here, the scaling processing means the image memory unit 20.
Since the compression processing performed in step 8 functions as a low-pass filter, the expansion processing is specifically performed.

The output from the scaling unit 2 (234) is input to the image memory unit 208. The image memory unit 208 is composed of three elements of a compression unit, an image memory unit, and an expansion unit, and outputs CMY data (24 bits) before output masking corresponding to each of the four photosensitive drums as described above. × 4) is read out.

Reference numeral 212 is a masking UCR unit for generating color signals for the respective drums, and here, color signals suitable for printer characteristics are generated. An editing circuit 213 performs free color processing and paint processing.
The edited result is γ corrected by the γ correction unit 214, subjected to a scaling process (specifically, a reduction process) in the scaling unit 1 (211), and further edge-enhanced by the edge enhancement unit 215. It is sent to the color LBP 216.

Reference numeral 217 denotes a preview processing section, which is composed of a CRT image memory for storing edited image data and a memory control section for controlling this CRT image memory. Reference numeral 219 denotes a CRT on which the data in the CRT image memory is displayed. The details of the preview processing unit 217 and the CRT 219 will be described later.

Reference numeral 220 denotes an area generator 1, which is a signal generated inside the area generator 1 by a main scanning synchronization signal, or
The HSNC 229, which is one of the BD signals 228 sent from the color LBP 216, and the output D of the image sensor
TOP226, ITOP generated inside the color LBP
Signal 227 (sub-scan enable signal synchronized with each drum is generated based on this signal at printer output), 2
Book write enable signal (main scan (221-1),
Sub-scanning (221-2 each one) and five read enable signals (one main scanning (221-3), one sub-scanning (2)
21-M, 221-C, 221-Y, 221-K) 4
7) in total, in order to adjust the timing of the image signal and the area signal in synchronization with the signal 221 for controlling the image data in the image memory unit 208 and the above-mentioned signal 227, the compression unit in the image memory unit 208. , Seven signals 238 (main scanning write enable signal (238-1), sub-scanning write enable signal (238-2), main scanning read enable signal (2
38-3), sub-scan enable signal (238-M, 23
8-C, 238-Y, 238-K)), and an enable signal 225 (one each for main scanning and sub-scanning) of the CRT image memory in the preview processing unit 217.

Reference numeral 230 denotes the area generator 2, which is a portion for generating an area signal for each editing process. This area generator 2
As will be described later, a bitmap memory unit that stores each area signal and a bitmap memory control unit that controls the bitmap memory (for example, AGDC (Advanced Graphics
Display Controller), writing is done by CPU
Also, the read operation is DTOP226, HSNC.
229 (synchronization with the optically scanned document image data).

The output from the area generator 2 is the signal 22.
2, 223-2 and 236 are a color conversion enable signal, an image composition enable signal, and a free color or paint enable signal, respectively.

Area memory unit 231, DL1 (23
2), DL2 (233), scaling unit 3 (235), DL3
(237) is a circuit for adjusting timing for synchronizing the image signal and the area signal. Specifically, DL1: delays the signal 232-2 by the amount of color conversion (the output thereof is the signal 223-1) The pixel delay is a D-type flip-flop (DF / F)
Then, the line delay is made in the FIFO memory.

DL2: Delay signal 226 by masking UCR (the output is signal 224-2) Pixel delay is D type flip-flop (DF / F)
Then, the line delay is made in the FIFO memory.

DL3: Signal 236 is delayed by color conversion + image synthesis + LOG. Pixel delay is D type flip-flop (DF / F).
Then, the line delay is made in the FIFO memory.

Zooming unit 3: Specifically, in the enlargement processing, the same control as that of the zooming unit 2 (234) is performed (the delay number is also the same).

The area memory unit 231 is the image memory unit 2
08 is a circuit for delay adjustment, and as shown in FIG. 8, four memory units having exactly the same configuration except for the sub-scanning read enable (238-M to 238-K) corresponding to each color drum. (8101 to 8104).

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the memory portion for each color is reset at the rising of the memory 9201 and the signal WLE238-1, and at the rising of the main scanning counter and the signal WVE238-2 which counts up when enabled, A write address counter 9-202 composed of a sub-scan counter that counts up when enabled, a main scan counter that is reset at the rising edge of the signal RLE238-3, and a reset when the rising edge of the signal RVE238-M is enabled. A read address counter 9-which is composed of a sub-scanning counter which is sometimes incremented
205, AND gate 9-203, inverter 9-21
3. Buffer (9-210, 9-211), CP in FIG.
It comprises registers 9-212 specified by U240.

Further, at the time of memory write, the register 9-212 → 0 address control → write address counter 9-202 is selected. Buffer 9-210 → enable buffer 9-211 → disenable signal OEN → 1 signal WEN → when the clock falls 0, and the data passed through the buffer 9-210 is stored in the memory 9
201 is written.

On the other hand, at the time of memory read, the register 9-212 → 1 address control → read address counter 9-205 is selected: buffer 9-210 → disenable buffer 9-211 → enable signal OEN → 0 signal WEN → 1 The data of 9201 is the buffer 9-211
Read through.

By adopting such a configuration, area signals having different timings can be treated as if they were one plane.

The CPU 240 also has a CPU bus 243.
Through the program ROM 241, work RAM 242
Control. It should be noted that the image processing unit similarly sets data through the CPU bus. (Signal Flow in Each Image Mode) The video signal flow and I / O port settings in each mode will be described below with reference to FIG. [Normal Copy] The flow of the video signal is the component 201 →
202 → 203 → 204 → 205 → 206 (terminal A input → terminal C output) → 207 → 234 → 208 → 212 → 2
When 13 → 214 → 211 → 215 → 216, sub-scan enable signals 221-M, 221-C, 221-
Y, 221-K, and 238-M, 238-C, 238
-Y and 238-K are controlled so as to be enabled at a timing according to the arrangement interval of each color drum. [Display of RGB Editing Process (Color Conversion) Result on CRT] The flow of the video signal is changed from component 201 to 202 to 203 to
204 → 205 → 206 (terminal A input → terminal B output) →
207 → 234 → 208 → 212 → 213 → 214 → 2
In the mode of 11 → 215 → 217 → 219, the data written in the image memory 208 changes every time the editing contents are corrected in the preview mode. Therefore, the processing is performed on the document every time the writing (display on the CRT) is performed. The reading is performed (at this time, the flow of the video signal is
From 201).

At this time, the sub-scanning read enable signal 2
21-M, 221-C, 221-Y, 221-K, and 238-M, 238-C, 238-Y, 238-K
It rises at the same time and falls at the same time.

In the printout after the preview OK, the optical scan is not performed and the image memory unit 20 is not used.
8 is performed only by reading. At this time, the sub-scanning enable signals 221-M, 221-C, 221-Y, 22
1-K is controlled to be enabled at a timing corresponding to the arrangement interval of each color drum. [Display result of CMYK editing processing (paint, free color) on CRT] Video signal flow is component 201
→ 202 → 203 → 204 → 205 → 206 (A terminal input → C terminal output) → 207 → 234 → 208 → 212 →
In the case of the modes of 213 → 214 → 211 → 215 → 217 → 219, the data written in the image memory unit 208 is not affected by the edit contents in the preview mode, and therefore, in the second and subsequent writing (display on the CRT). Optical scanning is not performed, but only editing parameter changes and reading from the image memory unit 208 are performed (the flow of the video signal at this time starts from the image memory unit 208).

At this time, the sub-scanning read enable signal 2
21-M, 221-C, 221-Y, 221-K, and 238-M, 238-C, 238-Y, 238-K
It rises at the same time and falls at the same time. Then, in the printout after the preview OK, the optical scan is not performed, but only the readout from the image memory unit 208 is performed. Here, too, the sub-scanning enable signal 221-M, 2
21-C, 221-Y, 221-K are controlled to be enabled at a timing corresponding to the arrangement interval of each color drum. [Display of Composite Result on CRT] The flow of the video signal at the time of writing the first image is 20
1 → 202 → 203 → 204 → 205 → 206 (A terminal input → C terminal output) → 207 → 208, which is the flow of the video signal when the second image is combined and written again in the image memory unit 208. Is (2-1) output from the image memory unit 208 →→ 212 →
213 → 211 → 214 → 215 → 206. Here, the masking UCR 212 is in a through state, and an inverse LOG table is set for γ correction.

(2-2) The flow of the video signal of the reflection original is 201 → 202 → 203 → 204 → 205 → 206.
It is.

Synthesis and CRT output Signal flow is as follows: 206 → 207 → 208 (memory write) 208 → 212 → 213 → 214 → 211 → 215 → 2
17 → 219 (CRT output).

Next, the operation from setting at each editing to printing out using the preview function will be described.

First, the flow of the entire processing will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the entire image processing according to this embodiment. As shown in the drawing, when an editing process is selected on an operation unit (not shown) of the digital copying apparatus (step S402), a color conversion process (step S406) and a paint process (step S40).
7), at least one of free color processing (step S408) and color-in-color processing (step S409) is selected, and final parameters are respectively determined by a preview function or the like. The parameters are set in step S403, and then the final output is printed out (steps S404 and S405).

Next, the procedure of each image processing will be described. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a color conversion process.
In this color conversion, first, either full color conversion or area color conversion is selected (step S501), and when area color conversion is performed, area designation is subsequently set using, for example, a digitizer (not shown). (Step S507).
Next, the color designation before conversion (step S502) and the color designation after conversion (step S503) are made. At this point,
The data required for color conversion is decided for the time being.

When a preview is selected in step S504 (for example, by pressing a preview button (not shown) to select it), a reflection image from a document placed on a document table (not shown) is read, and the above-mentioned "RGB system" is read. The processing is executed in the order shown in the section of "CRT display of editing processing", and step S
At 505, the image is displayed on the monitor.

If the display result is OK, other editing process settings or final parameter settings and printouts are made. If the result is NG, resetting is made until OK. 2. Paint Process FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the paint process. In this painting process, first, the area
It is set using a digitizer (not shown) (step S60
1) Then, in step S602, paint color is designated. Next, when the preview is selected in step S603, the reflection original from the original placed on the original table (not shown) is read, and the CR of the "CMYK editing process" is performed.
The processing is executed in the order shown in the section "T display". Then, in step S604, the image is displayed on the CRT.

When the result of this display is OK, other editing process settings or final parameter settings and printouts are made, but in the case of NG, it is reset until the result becomes OK (from the second time onward). In the preview mode, the display is performed using the read data from the image memory unit 208, as described above.

Here, the printout is performed using the read data from the image memory unit 208 as described above. 3. Free Color Processing FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the free color processing. In this free color processing, first, the full mode or the area mode is designated (step S701), and when the area mode is selected, the area is subsequently set using, for example, a digitizer (not shown) (step S701). S706). Further, in step S702, the color designation of free color is performed.

Next, when the preview is selected in step S703, the reflection original from the original placed on the original table (not shown) is read, and it is shown in the above-mentioned "Monitor display of CMYK editing process". The processes are executed in the order in which the images are displayed, and the image is displayed on the CRT in step S704.

When the result of this display is OK, other edit processing settings or final parameter settings and printouts are made, but in the case of NG, it is reset until the result becomes OK (from the second time onward). In the preview mode, the data read out from the image memory unit 208 is used for display as described above.

The printout is as described above.
This is performed using read data from the image memory unit 208. (Configuration of Printer Unit) The configuration of the printer unit of the digital copying apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a polygon scanner for scanning the photosensitive drum with laser light, and 302
Is the first-stage magenta (M) image forming unit. In the same configuration, the image forming units for cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) are denoted by reference numerals 303 and 30.
Shown at 4,305.

The polygon scanner 301 scans a photosensitive drum of each color with a laser beam from a laser element that is independently driven by MCYK by a laser controller (not shown). Then, the BD detection unit detects the scanned laser beam and generates a main scanning synchronization signal. When two polygon mirrors are arranged on the same axis and rotated by one motor, for example, the main scanning directions of the M and C and Y and K laser beams are opposite to each other. Therefore, usually
For one M and C, the other Y and K image data are mirror images in the main scanning direction.

In the image forming unit 302, 318 is a photosensitive drum which forms a latent image by exposure to laser light.
Reference numeral 13 denotes a developing device for developing toner on the photosensitive drum 318. In the developing device 313, a sleeve 314 that applies a developing bias to perform toner development is arranged.

Reference numeral 315 is a primary charger for charging the photosensitive drum 318 to a desired potential, 317 is a cleaner for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 318 after transfer, and 316 is a cleaner for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 318.
This is an auxiliary charger that removes the charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum 318 cleaned by the cleaner 317 so that good charging can be obtained by the primary charger 315. Further, 330 is a pre-exposure lamp for erasing the residual charge on the photosensitive drum 318, and 319 is a transfer charger that discharges from the back surface of the transfer belt 306 and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 318 to a transfer member. Is.

Numerals 309 and 310 are cassettes for accommodating transfer members, 308 is a paper feed section for supplying the transfer members from the cassettes 309, 310, and 311 is an attraction for the transfer members fed by the paper feed section 308. A transfer belt roller 312 is used to rotate the transfer belt 306, and at the same time, a transfer belt roller 312 is paired with the transfer charger 306 to charge the transfer member to the transfer belt 306 by suction.

Numeral 324 is an electrostatic charger for facilitating separation of the transfer member from the transfer belt 306, and numeral 325 is
A peeling charger that prevents image disturbance due to peeling discharge when the transfer member is separated from the transfer belt. Also, 326
Reference numeral 327 denotes a pre-fixing charger that supplements the attracting force of the toner on the transfer member after separation and prevents image disturbance.
323 removes electric charge from the transfer belt 306,
6 is a transfer belt charge eliminator for electrostatically initializing 6.

Reference numeral 328 is a belt cleaner for removing dirt on the transfer belt 306. 307 is a transfer belt 30
6 is a fixing device for thermally fixing the toner image on the transfer member, which is separated from No. 6 and recharged by the pre-fixing charging devices 326 and 327, onto the transfer member. A paper discharge sensor 340 detects a transfer member on the conveyance path passing through the fixing device 307. Further, reference numeral 329 is a paper leading edge sensor that detects the leading edge of the transfer member fed onto the transfer belt 306 by the paper feeding portion 308, and a detection signal from this paper leading edge sensor 329 is sent from the printer portion to the reader portion. And is used to generate a sub-scanning synchronization signal when a video signal is sent from the reader unit to the printer unit.

Each block of the reader section will be described below in the order of the preview processing section, color conversion, paint, and free color. (Preview Processing Unit) FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a preview processing circuit for displaying the final image obtained by the read image data passing through all the processing circuits on the CRT 219 in FIG.

Final image data Y1, M1, C1, K1
(1001-1 to 1001-4) (8 each for YMCK data
) Are first input to the 4 × 3 inverse masking correction circuit 217-1 of the preview processing circuit, where the calculation of the following equation is performed. This calculation is performed as shown in FIG.
Is the inverse operation in the masking UCR 212 shown in FIG.

Y2 = a11 * Y1 + a12 * M1 + a1
3 * C1 + a14 * K1 M2 = a21 * Y1 + a22 * M1 + a23 * C1 + a
24 * K1 C2 = a31 * Y1 + a32 * M1 + a33 * C1 + a
34 * K1 The above coefficients a11 to a34 can be set to arbitrary coefficients from the CPU 240 of FIG.

In the inverse masking correction circuit 217-1, the four-color information is converted into the three-color information Y2, M2, C2, and the converted signal is next subjected to the inverse logarithmic conversion correction circuit 2.
17-2. Here, an LUT is used to perform the inverse operation of the LOG processing unit 207 in FIG. 3, and arbitrary correction data can be set by the CPU 240 in the same manner as described above. By this inverse operation, the density data of YMCK is converted into luminance data, and the signal is in a state where it can be displayed on a CRT or the like. However, there are many types of CRTs that are actually connected, and the color reproduction range also varies. Therefore, a means for adjusting this is required.

Next stage 3 × 3 monitor color correction unit 217-3
Is used to correct the color characteristics of the monitor. In this case, the following equation is calculated.

R2 = b11 * R1 + b12 * G1 + b13 * B1 G2 = b21 * R1 + b22 * G1 + b23 * B1 B2 = b31 * R1 + b32 * G1 + b33 * B1 Here, as in the reverse masking correction circuit 217-1.
An arbitrary coefficient is set by the CPU 240.

The monitor gamma correction unit 217-4 is a circuit which similarly corrects the gamma characteristic of each monitor, and is a CPU 240.
, Arbitrary correction data can be set. The display editing circuit 217-5 is a circuit for performing various editing and controlling the monitor when displaying on the monitor.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the display editing circuit described above. As shown in FIG. 11, the display editing circuit mainly includes a portion for processing the read image and a portion for processing the read image. The image is composed of a portion for generating additional information such as a frame and characters.

R3 and G after the above monitor gamma correction
3 and B3 data are stored in the memories 217-11 and 2 respectively.
17-12, 217-13, and the address 217-21 from the write address control circuit 217-17 in the display controller 217-10 allows writing from any position in this memory.
A start address and an end address in the X direction and the Y direction can be set from the PU bus 243. In this embodiment,
These memory sizes are 640 × 480 × 9 ×
It is composed of three colors (8 bits).

Further, at the time of writing, it is possible to reduce the size of the image according to the original image size and write it, and the magnification is C
It can be set from the PU 240. further,
Depending on whether the image size to be displayed is portrait or landscape,
It is controlled by the write address controller so that it can rotate arbitrarily.

At this time, in the area other than the start / end address, that is, in the area where the image is not written, the previously accumulated image remains or the display color is fixed. The display color can be set by the CPU 240 so that can be displayed in any color.

Next, after being written in the memory, in order to specify from which part of the memory the image data is to be read out for display on the monitor, the read address control section 217.
At -18, the CPU 240 specifies an arbitrary coordinate.
Here, display can be performed in real time by a touch panel key of an operation unit described later.

Since the monitor image size of the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment is 640 × 480 dots, it is necessary to thin out the images in order to display the contents of the entire memory. It is possible to set the thinning rate. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, a 1 × mode for displaying the entire memory, a 2 × mode for displaying 4/9 of the memory, and a 3 × mode for displaying 1/9 of the memory can be selected.

The memory 217-20 is a memory for adding various figures and characters to the image information in addition to the image information, and its memory size is 640 × 480 × 9 × (4b
it). That is, different figures and characters for four sides can be developed independently of each other.

In the present embodiment, these pieces of information are expanded on the memory directly from the CPU 240, but it is possible to expand these pieces of information at high speed, for example, AGD.
This may be performed via a dedicated controller such as C.

The read address controller 217-19 is
Similarly to the above-described read address control unit 217-18, it is possible to set a read start position and a thinning rate.

The data read from each memory is input to the selector 217-14. In this selector, when the signal 217-24 is "L" in accordance with the signal read from the memory 217-20, the image data 2
17-25 to 217-27 are output as they are, and when it is "H", R, G, B corresponding to four planes respectively.
(8-bit) data is output.

These R, G and B data are stored in the CPU 2
It can be set from 40, and any color can be attached to the figures and characters drawn on each of the four sides. The signal processed by the selector 217-14 is converted into a monitor analog signal by the D / A converter 217-16, and the final image is displayed on the monitor 219. (Color Conversion) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the color conversion unit according to the present embodiment. The color conversion unit shown in the figure is divided into a detection unit and a conversion unit.

The detection section includes three window comparators (1110, 1111 and 1112), two AND gates (1113 and 1115), and registers reg1 to reg6 (11) for controlling these comparators and gates.
04 to 1109). Note that these registers are set by the CPU 240 in FIG. These operations include: reg1 ≤ input video Rin (1101) ≤ reg2 ・ reg3 ≤ input video Gin (1102) ≤ reg4 ・ reg5 ≤ input video Bin (1103) ≤ reg6. The output of one AND gate becomes "1", and only a certain characteristic color is detected (however, the area signal 212 is "1").

On the other hand, the conversion unit has three selectors (111
9, 1120, 1121) and registers reg8 to r
eg10 (1116 to 1118). When the output of the AND gate (1115) is "1",
Register (1116) set by CPU 240
To 1118), that is, the converted color is output, and AND
When the gate is “0”, the input video (1101-1
103) are Rout, Gout, Bout (1122-
1124). (Explanation of Paint and Free Color) FIG. 13 is a circuit block diagram relating to the free color paint processing of the present embodiment. Since the internal structure of this free color paint circuit is the same for each color, the internal structure is shown only for magenta.

That is, the free color paint circuit 1
(1211) is a multiplier (1205) and a selector (1210) for the video signal of one color, and the CPU 2 of FIG.
Registers reg1, 3 (12 set by 40
06, 1207).

As for the operation, during free color processing, the ND signal (M
/ 3 + C / 3 + Y / 3) and register 3 (1206) (this value depends on the color set by the user)
Is multiplied by a multiplier 1205, and its output is selected by a selector 1210 and output as an output signal (1212).

When it is desired to perform the free color processing only on a part of the original, the area signal 1 (224-1) may be set to "1" only at the portion to be processed. However, in this case, as shown in the truth table of FIG. 14, the area signal 2 (224-2) is set to “0”. At this time, the ND signal is output only at this area signal, as shown in FIG.
The masking / UCR circuit is controlled based on the signal 226 shown in FIG.

During the painting process, the CPU 240
The area signal 2 (224-2) is supplied to the selector 1210 so that the register 1 (1207) set by
Is controlled to be “1”. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the area signal 1 (224-1) is set to "0".

Reference numeral 1213 is a C (cyan) free color paint circuit 2 and 1216 is Y (yellow) free color paint circuit 3 and 1219 is K.
(Black) free color paint circuit 4. The respective inputs are Cin (1202) and Yin (120).
3), Kin (1204), and the output is Cout (12
15), Yout (1218) and Kout (1221). These are the area signal 2 (224-2),
Area signal 3 (224-3), area signal 4 (224-
It is controlled by 4).

Further, when displayed on the CRT, these area signals 224-1 to 224-3 are controlled to be enabled at the same time. (Explanation of Operation Unit) FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an appearance of the operation unit according to the present embodiment. In the drawing, reference numeral 50000 is a numeral key, 50001 is a copy start key, 50002 is a stop key, 50003 is preheat. A key 50004 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a standard screen of the display unit 50004. Each display of the standard screen shown in FIG.
01 is the device status, 50102 is the number of copies, 50103
Indicates the paper size, 50104 indicates the copy magnification, 501
Reference numeral 05 is a touch key for designating / cancelling the preview mode.

Prior to starting the preview process, the operator specifies the image magnification, the paper size, and the editing process from the operation unit, and presses the preview mode key 50105 to change from the standard screen to the preview operation screen. .

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the preview operation screen. 50201 is an image reading key for starting the preview, 50202 is a display direction setting key, and 50 is a display direction setting key.
Reference numeral 203 is an area monitor, 50204 is a key for setting a display position, 50205 is a display magnification setting key, 502
An area adjustment key 06 is used for fine adjustment of the area.

The operator first sets the original on the original table or the feeder, and sets the display direction (vertical or horizontal) of the original with the display direction setting key 50202. In the display of this display direction, an image from the original abutment position on the original platen is normally displayed from the upper right of the CRT (monitor) 219. When the display direction setting key 50202 is pressed, the display of the display direction setting key is highlighted in black,
217-11, 217-12, 217-1 shown in
Since the image rotated 90 degrees in 3 is written, the image from the document abutting position on the document table is rotated 90 degrees and displayed on the monitor.

The operator starts the preview start key 5020.
When 1 is pressed, if a document is set on the feeder, it is sent from the feeder to the platen, and if prescan is set, the document size of the document placed on the platen is detected. A scan is performed to perform Then, a scan operation for reading an image is started, and the capture of an image is started.

The captured image is subjected to various kinds of set editing processing, and then the preview processing section 217 shown in FIG.
Is converted to RGB color signals, and the most efficient size that fits the entire image in the image memory area is calculated from the set display direction, magnification, document size, etc. Data is written. The data in the image memory is corrected by the monitor / gamma correction unit 217-4 according to the characteristics of the monitor, and the data is transferred to the monitor by the display controller 217-10 to display a preview image.

Here, when the area is designated in the editing process, the setting of magnification, rotation, and movement (corner movement, center movement) is ignored, and the preview image is displayed in the same size, no rotation, and no movement. Is displayed. This is, for example, 5
When the corner movement is set at 0% reduction, it is difficult to confirm that the area is set correctly on the preview monitor. This is because the calculation of the area position on the monitor becomes complicated and the processing speed decreases.

This image memory has a monitor display size of 6
It has a size of 1920 × 1440 pixels which is nine times as large as 40 × 480. Therefore, when transferring data from the image memory to the monitor, the display controller 217-1
0 means the monitor display size and display magnification setting key 50
It is necessary to scale the data in the image memory based on the display magnification set in 205 and transfer the data to the monitor.

FIG. 18 shows a display example of a screen relating to area adjustment, and FIG. 19 shows a display example of a screen relating to selection of area processing.

FIG. 21 shows a concrete example of the above-mentioned scaling.

When "entire" is set as the display magnification with the display magnification setting key when the image data indicated by reference numeral 50601 is written in the image memory, the entire data area of the image memory is changed to the display controller 217.
The image is reduced to 1/9 by -10 and displayed on the monitor as indicated by 50602. When the “2 ×” key of the display magnification setting key is pressed, the data in the 4/9 area of the image memory is reduced to １ ／ by the display controller 217-10 and transferred, and as shown in 50603, Displayed on the monitor. As a result, a part of the image memory is displayed twice as large as the display of “whole”.

Similarly, when the "3x" key is pressed, a 1/9 area of the image memory is transferred to the display memory at the same size, so that a part of the image is displayed as shown in 50604. It is magnified 3 times and displayed on the monitor.

Further, when the display magnification setting key is set to 2 times or 3 times, since a part of the image memory is displayed on the CRT, the read position of the memory area is changed and displayed on the monitor. You can view the parts that are not. That is, when the display magnification setting key is set to 2 times, an image of an arbitrary 1/4 size in the image memory is displayed on the monitor. At this time, the display position setting key 5
When the down arrow key 0204 is pressed, a 1/4 size is transferred to the CRT from the position where the reading start position of the image memory is moved downward by 4 dots, so that the image at the bottom of the screen that is not displayed on the monitor is transferred. Can be displayed.

At this time, when a part of the read area of the memory becomes the end of the memory, the read start position is moved next to the end so that the read area is out of the range of the image memory. For this reason, the display position setting key in the end direction is shaded in order to make the operator recognize that the user cannot move further in the end direction, so that key sensing cannot be performed. Also,
An area monitor 50302 is provided so that the operator can recognize which area of the memory is displayed on the monitor when the image is moved. (Regarding area correction by preview) If the operator has set area designation before previewing, a preview image of the same size, no movement, and no rotation as the area-processed image is displayed. If the position or size of the area of this processed image is different from the specified one, or if the processed color is slightly different from the desired color, fine-adjust the area on the preview screen. Is possible.

First, the operator operates the area adjustment key 5020.
Press 6 to move to the area selection screen. When transitioning to the area selection screen, as shown in FIG. 22, the outer frame of the entire area set by the area designation is set by the display magnification set by the copy magnification or the display magnification setting key or the display direction setting key. The size and position of the designated area are calculated from the displayed display direction and the like, and the area generation unit (AGDC) generates the outer frame of the area.

Then, the created area is expanded on the image memory for area 1 (hereinafter referred to as plane memory 1), and further transferred to the display memory for area 1 (hereinafter referred to as plane memory 1 '), Displayed on the monitor. At this time, the outer frame of the area displayed on the monitor is
It is displayed on the currently displayed preview screen. The outer frame of the area is displayed in the display color set in the plane memory 1. The plane memory described here is a memory obtained by dividing the memories 217-20.

Further, the plane memory 1 has a size several times as large as the pixel size of the monitor, and from the value of the magnification set by the image magnification setting key and the value of the display position set by the display area setting key, As with the preview image, the transfer area and transfer rate of the plane memory 1 are calculated and transferred to the plane memory 1 ′, so that the area is tracked according to the preview image each time the image display magnification setting and display area setting are changed. The outer frame of is displayed again.

In this area processing, the processing content can be set up to a maximum of 30 area processing, and a maximum of 15 areas can be set for each area processing. For example, in FIG.
1 of the preview image when multiple areas are specified
This is an example, and the area processing 1 includes three areas 5070.
1 (area 1), 50702 (area 2), 50703
(Area 3) is subjected to paint processing, and as area processing 2, two areas 50704 (Area 1 ′) and 507
Color conversion processing is performed on 05 (area 2 ').

When a plurality of areas are set in this way, it is necessary for the operator to specify the areas with the area processing number setting key or the area number setting key.

Then, when the UP key of the area processing number setting key is selected, the area of area processing 1 is selected. At this time, the outer frame (5070) of the area area of area processing 1 is selected.
1, 50702, 50703) are calculated in the same procedure, and are formed on the image memory for area 2 (hereinafter, referred to as plane memory 2) by the area generation unit.

This is scaled by the magnification specified by the display magnification setting key and transferred to the area display memory 2 (hereinafter referred to as the plane memory 2 ') so that the plane memory 1'is displayed on the monitor. Display using a different color from the display. Therefore, since the display colors set in the plane memory 1'and the plane memory 2'are different,
It is possible to recognize the outer frame of the area included in the designated area process from the plurality of area processes by color on the monitor.

Further, when the area processing number 2 is specified by selecting the UP key of the area processing number setting key, the outer frame of the area of the area processing 1 written in the plane memory 2 is erased, The outer frame of the area having the area processing number 2 is written and displayed on the monitor.

In this way, the operator sets the area process whose processing content is to be changed, presses the setting correction key 50303, and changes the processing content on the setting content change screen, and the changed content is fed back and processed. You can change the content.

Next, when changing the size of the area, first, the area processing including the area to be changed by the above procedure is selected by the area processing number setting key 50301, and the area is selected by the area number selection key 50302. For example, to move the area 2 ′ (50705) of the area processing 2 to the left by 1 cm, first, the area processing number setting key 5
Area processing 2 is selected at 0301. Then, when the area number setting key is pressed, area 1'of area processing 2
The area (50704) is selected.

At this time, the outer frame of the area of the area 1'is set by the area generation unit to the area image memory 3 (hereinafter,
On the plane memory 3). This is the area display memory 3 (hereinafter referred to as plane memory 3 ').
And display it on the monitor. Here, the color of the outer frame of the area displayed on the monitor is displayed using a color different from that of the plane memory 1 'and the plane memory 2'.

Since the priority order of the display memories is plane memory 1 '<plane memory 2'<plane memory 3 ', the operator does not need to remember the area number to be corrected, but the entire area processing is performed on the monitor. It is possible to recognize the area processing specified from among the areas, and to recognize the area from the area processing.

Next, when the area 2 '(50705) is set by the area number setting key, the area area of the area 1' (50704) on the plane memory 3'is erased and the area of the area 2'is changed to the plane. It is written in the memory 3 and displayed on the monitor.

As described above, the operator designates the area whose area size is to be changed, and then the area correction key 50304
Press to change the screen to the area size change screen.

FIG. 20 shows the area size change screen. In each display of the figure, 50501 is an area correction key, 50502 is an area correction setting key, and 50503 is an area clear key.

For example, when it is desired to move the area 2'to the left, first, the movement is designated by the area correction setting key. Then, the left arrow key of the area correction key is pressed. At this time, the area 2 'stored in the plane memory 3 is cleared, an area moved four pixels to the left is formed on the plane memory 3, transferred to the plane memory 3', and displayed on the monitor.

Therefore, the designated area actually moves on the preview image. In addition, since this movement amount is fed back to the CPU, when the image reading key is pressed again and the image is displayed, the area is processed at the position of the moved and adjusted area.

In this way, the area can be moved while comparing the preview image with the designated area. Also,
Similarly, when changing the area size, enlargement or reduction is set using the area correction setting key, and the area correction key is pressed to set an arbitrary size of the area.

Then, the size, position, and contents of the area are corrected while being compared with the preview image, and if the operator can display the desired image on the CRT, the start key 50001 is pressed to output from the printer. .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, with respect to the image whose area is designated by the editing process, the setting of the scaling, moving, and rotating process is ignored, and the image is moved at the same size. By displaying the preview without and without rotation, it is possible to avoid a decrease in processing speed due to complicated calculation of the display position of the area when displaying the area on the monitor. <Modification> In the above-described embodiment, when the area is designated, the preview is displayed without being moved, without being moved, and without being rotated. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The preview may be displayed without moving or rotating.

That is, when the area adjustment key 50206 is pressed, the area selection screen is displayed, and at the same time, when an original is set on the feeder, the original is sent from the feeder to the original table. Further, when prescan is set, scanning is performed in order to detect the document size of the document placed on the document table.

Then, the scanning operation for reading the image is started, and the image reading is started. The captured image is subjected to various types of edit processing, a signal is sent to the preview processing unit 217, and is converted into an RGB color signal. Then, the image is stored in the image memory according to the set display direction, document size, and the like. The most efficient size that fits the entire image into the area is calculated and the data is written.

The data in the image memory is corrected by the monitor / gamma correction unit 217-4 according to the characteristics of the monitor, and the data is transferred to the monitor by the display controller 217-10, and is previewed at the same size, without movement, and without rotation. The image is displayed.

When the screen is changed to the area selection screen, as shown in FIG. 22, the outer frames of all the areas set by the area designation are the same size regardless of the setting of the copy magnification and the output position.
The size and position of the area where the document is not moved are calculated, and the area generation unit (AGDC) generates the outer frame of the area. Then, the outer frame of the created area is developed on the image memory for area 1 (hereinafter, referred to as plane memory 1),
Further, it is transferred to the area display memory 1 (hereinafter referred to as the plane memory 1 ') and displayed on the monitor.

At this time, the area displayed on the monitor is displayed on the currently displayed 1 × preview image. The area is displayed in the display color set in the plane memory 1. Then, the area is corrected by the same procedure as in the above-mentioned embodiment. Even when the image is read again to confirm the correction result, the preview display is performed with the same size, no movement, and no rotation.

As described above, when the size, position, and contents of the area are corrected while being compared with the preview image, and the image desired by the operator can be displayed on the monitor, the start key 50001 is pressed and the printer is pressed. Output.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is implemented by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, the storage medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium into the system or device, the system or device operates in a predetermined manner.

[0123]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the area processing is set, the final editing image can be efficiently confirmed by preview display by ignoring the designated editing operation and displaying an image according to the preset editing operation in a preview display.

[0124]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional system configuration example.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the internal configuration of the digital copying apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital image processing unit of the digital copying apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the entire image processing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a color conversion processing procedure according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of paint processing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of free color processing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an area memory unit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory unit for each color.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a preview processing circuit for displaying a final image on a CRT.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a display editing circuit.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a color conversion unit.

FIG. 13 is a circuit block diagram related to free color paint processing.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a truth table relating to free color processing.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an appearance of an operation unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a standard screen of a display unit.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a preview operation screen.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen relating to area adjustment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen relating to selection of area processing.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an area size change screen.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a specific example of scaling.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a preview image for area correction.

[Explanation of symbols]

201 CCD 202 S / H (sample & hold) and A / D conversion unit 203 Shading correction unit 204 Input masking unit 205 Color conversion unit 206 Synthesis unit 207 LOG correction unit 208 Image memory unit 211 Magnification unit 1 212 Masking UCR unit 213 Editing circuit 214 Gamma correction section 215 Edge enhancement section 216 Color LBP 217 Preview processing section 219 CRT 220 Area generation section 1 230 Area generation section 2 231 Area memory section 234 Zoom section 2

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system, comprising: a display unit for preview-displaying an image obtained by scanning an original on a predetermined display device for the purpose of confirming the image; a storage unit for storing the image; Means for designating an editing process for the stored image, means for subjecting the image to a first editing process according to the designated editing process, means for determining whether or not area processing is set for the image, And a means for changing the first editing process to a second editing process when the area processing is set, and the display unit displays the second editing process when the area processing is set. A preview image of the changed image is displayed on the display device, and when the area processing is not set, the image subjected to the first editing process is preview-displayed. Tem. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first editing processing includes at least scaling, movement, and rotation processing. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the second editing process is a process of preset magnification fixation, no movement, and no rotation. 4. The area processing includes at least area designation and area correction.
The image forming system according to claim 3. 5. An image forming method comprising a display step of displaying an image obtained by scanning a document on a predetermined display device for the purpose of confirming the image, a storage step of storing the image, A step of designating an editing process for the stored image, a step of subjecting the image to a first editing process according to the designated editing process, and a step of judging whether or not an area process is set for the image, And a step of changing the first editing process to a second editing process when the area processing is set, and in the displaying step, when the area processing is set,
An image characterized in that the image after the change to the second edit processing is preview-displayed on the display device, and if the area processing is not set, the image subjected to the first edit processing is preview-displayed. Forming method.