JPH10276320A - Image processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the image processing unit by which a range designation of output image data and addition of a white level to read image data are simply realized and the data within the designated range only are outputted with magnification/reduction. SOLUTION: In the case of outputting image data read from an original, the image data are read from an image memory 17 according to an address designated by an image area designation/white level addition circuit section 16 and white level data are added to the designated range. Moreover, in the case that magnification or reduction of an image is designated, the image is sequentially magnified or reduced while reading the image data from the image memory 17 according to the address setting designated by the image area designation/white level addition circuit section 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus including an image reading device in a facsimile machine, a copying machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided an image reading apparatus having a book document reading mode in which pages of a book or the like placed on a document table are scanned and read. In such a reading apparatus, the reading reference position is fixed at one point.

For example, when reading a document on a document table, the end of the line image sensor is located at the upper left of the document table. In this case, the central portion of the line image sensor was located.

Therefore, even when all white data is added to both ends of the read image data, a margin of a specific number of bits is only added to a limited specific position. Also, an arbitrary range in the middle of an image has not been converted to all white.

[0005] Also, when a range of an output image is specified for a read input image, only a limited specific range can be specified. Also, when an output image is generated by enlarging or reducing the read input image, the entire input image that has been read is enlarged or reduced, and the specified range is not enlarged or reduced. .

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, when a range is specified and white is added to the read image data, the range that can be specified is limited. For this reason, a book original mode, that is, a mode in which an image scanning unit such as a line image sensor is moved along the original surface on an original table to read an original, and an ADF mode, that is, a fixed image sensor such as a line image sensor In a multifunction device having two modes of reading a document by feeding a plurality of sheet documents one by one in contact with a scanning unit, the image size and the total number of white pixels at both ends are set to arbitrary values. That is, it was not possible to convert the middle of the image to all white.

In the book document mode, for example, the upper left of the document table is a reading reference position, and if the document size is different from A3, B4, A4, etc., it is necessary to define the reading range based on this position. ,on the other hand,
In the ADF mode, the center of the image scanning means such as a line image sensor is a reading reference position, and when the document size is different from A3, B4, A4, etc., it is necessary to define the reading range based on this position. These processes were very complicated.

In addition, the image data of the read original is
X transmission, the ITU standard T.X. For example, in the case of A3, 400 dpi original,
If the read image data has only 4740 bits, for example, it is necessary to add white space for 124 bits. If the image data of the succeeding document is to be printed out as a copy, it is recorded. To specify an arbitrary range to be recorded according to the size of the paper and to erase the frame, it is necessary to convert the range to all white, but these processes are very complicated.

Further, when reading a thick book spread in the book document mode, the depth of field of the image scanning means such as the line image sensor is small, so that the book spreads above the document table at the central portion of the spread. The portion becomes a read image in which the original cannot be read and the image is blackened, which is unsightly. On the other hand, since the central part of the spread of a book is usually a blank, if the central part of the read image data is converted to all white, it is not necessary to obtain a read image that is blackened.

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, a first object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily specify a range of output image data and add white to read image data. Is to do.

Conventionally, when an output image is generated by enlarging / reducing a read input image, the entire read input image is enlarged / reduced, and only a specified range is enlarged / reduced. It did not shrink.

For this reason, for example, of the 4740 bits of read image data, 1000 bits from the 2000th bit to the 3000th bit are expanded by 400% to 400%.
When it is desired to obtain a 0-bit output image, there is an output rate of 4000 bits in the main scanning line synchronization signal period. An output rate that outputs the number of bits was required. For this reason, the frequency of the output rate becomes an obstacle, which hinders speeding up at the time of enlargement. Also, the limit of the magnification was low.

In order to solve the above problems, a second object of the invention according to the present application is to enlarge and reduce only a specified range, thereby increasing the speed of enlargement and reduction processing of image data and the enlargement ratio. Is to make it possible to increase the upper limit of.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the first object, the invention of the present application is provided with the following configuration. That is, in an image reading apparatus having a memory unit for storing image data read from a document in units of lines, the image reading apparatus includes an image range designating unit for designating an image range and a white addition designating unit for designating addition of white data. When reading the image data written in the previous line from the memory means, the image data is read out according to the address specified by the image range specifying means, and white data is added to the range specified by the white addition specifying means. It is characterized by the following.

Thus, for example, a book original mode, that is, a mode in which image scanning means such as a line image sensor is moved along the original surface on the original table to read an original, and an ADF mode, that is, a fixed line image sensor In the multi-function apparatus having two modes, a mode in which a plurality of sheet documents are fed one by one and the document is read in contact with image scanning means such as , And it is possible to convert the middle of the image to all white.

In the book document mode, the upper left of the document table is a reading reference position, and the document size is A
3, B4, A4, etc., the reading range is defined based on this. On the other hand, in the ADF mode, the center of the image scanning means such as a line image sensor is the reading reference position, and the document size is A3, B4. , A4, etc., the reading range can be defined based on this.

Further, the image data of the read original is stored in the FA.
X transmission, the ITU standard T.X. For example, in the case of A3, 400 dpi original,
If the read image data has only 4740 bits, for example, it is necessary to add white space for 124 bits if the read image data has only 4740 bits. Specify any range you want to record together,
When erasing a frame, it is necessary to convert the range to all white, but these processes can be easily realized.

Further, the white addition designating means can convert an arbitrary range in the middle of the read input image in addition to both ends to full white. Therefore, when reading a thick book spread in the book original mode, Because the depth of field of the image scanning means such as a line image sensor is shallow, the part that floats above the surface of the document table at the center of the spread has become scanned image data in which the document cannot be read and the image is blackened. Since the central part of the spread of the book is usually a blank, by converting the central part of the read image data to all white, it becomes possible to prevent the read image from being blackened.

The image range designating means and the white addition designating means may have an address setting register for a total of 6 points (ie, m = 6) for the read input image. Assuming that the 0th bit is the address 0 of the line memory, the address setting 1 can be set to an address 0 or less, that is, a negative value, and the nth bit (last bit) of the read input image data can be set.
Is the address n of the line memory, the address setting 6
Since it is possible to set more than address n, even if the read image data is small, it is possible to obtain an output image having a size equal to or larger than the read image data by adding all white data before and after.

In order to achieve the second object, the present invention has the following configuration. That is, when enlargement or reduction of the image is designated, the image data designated by the white addition designation unit is read from the memory unit according to the address setting designated by the image range designation unit while reading out the image data written in the previous line. Enlargement or reduction is performed sequentially while adding white data to the range.

That is, the image is sequentially enlarged or reduced while reading the image from the address setting 1, and while the address counter is incremented, all white data is output from the address setting 1 to the address setting 2, and the address setting 2 to the address setting 3 , The read image data is output from address setting 3 to address setting 4, the read image data is output from address setting 4 to address setting 5, and the address setting 5 to address setting 6 Until, all white data is output.

With this, only the designated range is enlarged / reduced without performing enlargement / reduction on the entire read input image. For example, out of the 4740 bits of the read image data, the 2000th to 3000th bits are read. If it is desired to enlarge the 1000 bits by 400% and obtain an output image of 4000 bits, if there is an output rate for outputting 4000 bits within the line synchronization signal period of the main scanning, the output rate frequency can be reduced accordingly. , The speed of enlargement can be increased, and the enlargement magnification can be increased.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

This image processing apparatus is a one-dimensional photoelectric conversion element (CCD or contact sensor) for reading an original image
10, a correction circuit section 11 for performing sample hold and offset correction of a read image, an A / D conversion circuit section 12 for performing A / D conversion of correction data, and an auto gain control circuit 13 for controlling a gain of digital image data. And a shading correction circuit unit 14 for performing shading correction
A one-line memory 15 for storing shading correction data, an image area specifying / white adding circuit 16 for specifying an image output area and specifying white addition, an image memory 17 for two lines, It has an image processing circuit section 18 for enlarging and reducing and a binarizing circuit section 19 for binarizing image data.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are explanatory views showing the operation of the image processing apparatus in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal register table of standard cells in the image processing unit of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In realizing this embodiment, each of the circuit units 11 to 14, 1 shown in FIG.
6 and 18 are one-chip standard cells.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views showing the external structure of a facsimile and copying apparatus having the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a B5 spread book on an A3-size document table.
It is a perspective view showing the state where the book of the size was put.

The operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described below. First, B5
An example of copying a book of a size will be described.

In FIG. 7, it is assumed that the image data output from the contact sensor 10, which is a one-dimensional photoelectric conversion element, is output from data at a position behind the document table 71. That is, the back side corresponds to the 0th bit of the read image data, and the front side corresponds to the 4740th bit (final bit). The pixel density is 400 dpi. The contact sensor 10 reads a document while moving from the left position to the right position of the document table 71.

First, as shown in FIG.
The book 82 to be read is placed downward as shown.

At this time, the contact sensor 10 has been moved to the initial position of the scanning means at the left end of the document table 71.
When the start of copying is selected, the contact sensor 1
0 reads the original line by line while being driven rightward in FIG. At this time, the analog image data of one main scanning line is sequentially transferred from the contact sensor 10 to the sample hold and offset correction circuit unit 11 line by line.

The analog image data is converted into digital multi-value data by an A / D conversion circuit 12, and the AGC circuit 1
3. The signal is input to the image area designation / white addition circuit section 16 via the shading correction circuit section 14. The image area designating / white adding circuit section 16 includes a total of six address setting registers from address C to address 17 in FIG. 5. Each address setting register has L = lower 8 bits and H = higher 5 bits. It consists of a total of 13 bits.

In the address setting register, the effective pixel start address setting (L) (H) in FIG.
1, the effective pixel stop address setting (L) (H) in FIG. 5 corresponds to L6 in FIG. 2, and the actual image start address setting (L) (H) in FIG. 5 corresponds to L2 in FIG. Correspondingly, real image stop address setting (L) (H) in FIG.
Corresponds to L5 in FIG. 2, and the white start address settings (L) and (H) in FIG. 5 correspond to L3 in FIG. 2, and the white stop address settings (L) and (H) in FIG. L4 in FIG.
Is equivalent to

L1 to L6 in FIGS. 2 to 4 correspond to address setting 1 to address setting 6, respectively. B
The five sizes are 182 mm × 257 mm, and when read at 400 dpi, the longitudinal direction is 4047 bits. If it is assumed that the original is placed exactly at the reading reference position at the left back and that the frame on both sides of the original is erased by 5 mm and the shadow of the floating at the center of the book is prevented by 10 mm, address setting 1 =
0, address setting 2 = 79, address setting 3 = 194
4, address setting 4 = 2102, address setting 5 = 39
68, the address setting 6 is set to 4047.

The image area designating / white adding circuit 16 first writes the entire line of 4740-bit image data from the shading correction circuit 14 into the line memory 17.

Next, when the image data of the next line is input from the shading correction circuit section 14, it is written to the second line memory 17 and the data of the line preceding the first line is read out. Addresses are read sequentially from the 0th bit set to 1 and address setting 2
Are converted to all white and output to the image processing circuit unit 18, and from address setting 2 to address setting 3, the data in the memory 17 is output to the image processing circuit unit 18 as it is, and from address setting 3 to address setting 4. Is converted to all white and is output to the image processing circuit unit 18. From address setting 4 to address setting 5, the data in the memory 17 is directly output to the image processing circuit unit 18, and from address setting 5 to address setting 6.
Are converted to all white and output to the image processing circuit unit 18.

Thereafter, writing and reading of the line memory 17 are alternately performed. If the same size is selected, the next image processing circuit section 18 does not perform the processing, but outputs the same to the binarization circuit section 19, and then transfers it to the recording section and prints it out.

If it is assumed that the main scanning magnification setting 0 (N) at address 18 and the main scanning magnification setting 1 (M) at address 19 shown in FIG.
When reading data from the line memory 17, as in the case of the 1 ×, the address setting 1 to the address setting 6
Only the 48 bits are read out and subjected to enlargement processing to generate 4740 bits of image data in one main scanning synchronization signal.

As shown in FIG. 4, even if the address setting 1 is larger than 0, 4740 is included in one main scanning synchronization signal.
Bit image data can be generated.

Next, an example in which an ADF (automatic paper feeder) reads and transmits an A4 sheet document in the vertical direction will be described.

In FIG. 7, the contact sensor 10 is
The document table 71 is fixed at the left end position. 6, an A4 sheet document placed downward on an ADF (automatic paper feeder) 61 is read by the lower contact sensor 10 while feeding the document in the vertical direction from right to left in FIG.

When the start of reading of the transmission original is selected, the driving means of the ADF 61 reads the sheet original line by line while feeding the original in the vertical direction from right to left in FIG. At this time, the analog image data of one main scanning line is sequentially transferred from the contact sensor 10 to the sample hold and offset correction circuit unit 11 line by line.

The analog image data is converted into digital multi-value data by the A / D conversion circuit 12, and the AGC circuit 1
3. The signal is input to the image area designation / white addition circuit section 16 via the shading correction circuit section 14.

The image area designating / white adding circuit section 16 is arranged as shown in FIG.
And a total of six address setting registers 1 to 6 indicated by addresses C to 17 of FIG.

L1 to L6 in FIGS. 2 to 4 correspond to address setting 1 to address setting 6, respectively. A
4 sizes are 210mm x 297mm and 400dpi
, The short side becomes 3307 bits.

The ADF 61 has a structure in which, with respect to 4740 bits in the longitudinal direction of the contact sensor 10, the image is read in accordance with the document size on the basis of the center, and it is necessary to read an image of 3307 bits centering on the center 2370th bit. There is.

If it is assumed that 8 pels are declared at the time of transmission, the communication standard T.40 is used. In A30, A4 is defined as 1728 bits in the main scan, so that pixel density conversion (equivalent to reduction processing) and white addition are performed to match this. A4 short side is 8p
If the image is read in the form of “el”, it becomes 1680 bits. Therefore, the reduction process of 1680/3307 = 50.8% is performed by adding 1728 / 50.8% = 3402 including white addition before reduction.
Will be done on the bits.

Address setting 1 = 669, Address setting 2
= Address setting 3 = Address setting 4 = 717, Address setting 5 = 4024, Address setting 6 = 4071. Also, the main scanning magnification setting 0 at address 18 in FIG.
(N) and 5 in the main scanning scaling ratio setting 1 (M) of address 19
Set 0.8% reduction.

Then, the image area designation / white addition circuit section 16
First, 474 from the shading correction circuit unit 14
Line memory 1 for all 0-bit image data for one line
Write to 7.

Next, when the image data of the next line is input from the shading correction circuit section 14, it is written into the second line memory 17 and the data of the line preceding the first line is read out. The data is sequentially read from the 669th bit set in the setting 1, converted to all white until the address setting 2 and output to the image processing circuit unit 18, and the data in the memory is directly processed from the address setting 4 to the address setting 5 in the image processing circuit unit. The image data is output to the image processing circuit unit 18 from the address setting 5 to the address setting 6 and converted to all white. Thereafter, writing and reading of the line memory 17 are alternately performed.

Next, the signal is output to the binarization circuit 19, and then encoded, modulated and transmitted.

When data is read from the line memory 17, 3402 from address setting 1 to address setting 6
Only the bits are read, and a reduction process is performed on the bits.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
A book original mode, that is, a mode in which an image scanning unit such as a line image sensor is moved along an original surface on an original table to read an original, and an ADF mode, that is,
In a multifunction device having two modes, a mode in which a plurality of sheet documents are fed one by one in contact with image scanning means such as a fixed line image sensor and the documents are read, an image size and all white on both ends are provided. Set the number of pixels to an arbitrary value,
In addition, it is possible to convert the middle of the image to all white.

In the book original mode, the upper left of the original table is the reading reference position, and the original size is A
3, B4, A4, etc., the reading range is defined based on this, and in the ADF mode, the center of the image scanning means such as a line image sensor is the reading reference position, and the document size is A3, B4, A4. In the case of different conditions, the reading range can be defined based on this.

The image data of the read original is stored in the FA.
X transmission, the ITU standard T.X. When white is added according to the number of bits specified by 30 and printed out as a copy, an arbitrary range to be recorded is specified according to the size of the recording paper, and when erasing a frame, the range is completely white. Can be easily converted to a vehicle.

Further, the white addition designating means can convert an arbitrary range in the middle of the read input image in addition to both ends into full white. Therefore, when reading a thick book spread in the book original mode, the center of the spread is read. It is now possible to prevent the portion of the document that floats above the document table from being crushed black.

Further, even if the read image data is small, it is possible to obtain an output image having a size equal to or larger than the read image data by adding all white data before and after.

When enlargement or reduction is designated,
By scaling only the specified range without scaling the entire input image that has been read, the frequency of the output rate can be reduced, so that the speed of enlargement can be increased, and the magnification can be increased Now it can be higher.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It becomes possible to easily specify the range of the output image data and add white to the read image data.
Enlarge only the specified range for the read input image,
By reducing the size, it is possible to increase the speed of the image data enlargement and reduction processing and increase the upper limit of the enlargement ratio, thereby obtaining an excellent editing function in a multifunction device or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal register table of a standard cell in an image processing unit of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an external structure of a facsimile and a copying machine having the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an external structure of a facsimile and a copying machine having the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a book of B5 size is placed on an A3 size document table with a double-page spread;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10: One-dimensional photoelectric conversion element (CCD or contact sensor), 11: Sample hold and offset correction circuit section, 12: A / D conversion circuit section, 13: Auto gain control circuit, 14: Shading correction circuit section, 15: Memory Reference numeral 16: an image area designation / white addition circuit unit; 17, an image memory; 18, an image processing circuit unit; 19, a binarization circuit unit.

Claims (12)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus having at least two lines of memory means for sequentially storing image data read from a document in units of lines, an image range designating means for designating an image range, and designation of white data addition When the image data written in the previous line is read from the memory unit, the image data is read out according to the address specified by the image range specifying unit, and the white data is specified by the white addition specifying unit. An image processing apparatus characterized by adding white data to a selected area. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the white addition designation unit can convert an arbitrary range in the middle of the read input image in addition to both ends to all white. 3. The image setting device according to claim 1, wherein the image range specifying means and the white addition specifying means have an address setting register for a total of m points for the read input image, and are provided from address setting 1 to address setting 2. Outputs all white data, outputs read image data from address setting 2 to address setting 3, outputs all white data from address setting 3 to address setting 4, and outputs all white data from address setting 4 to address setting 5. An image processing apparatus which outputs read image data and outputs image data and margin data up to address setting m in the same manner. 4. The address setting (m-1) ≦ address according to claim 3, wherein the address setting 1 to the address setting m are: address setting 1 ≦ address setting 2 ≦ address setting 3 ≦ address setting 4, and so on. An image processing apparatus that satisfies a relationship up to a setting m. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the 0th bit of the read input image data is an address 0 of the memory means, the address setting 1 can be set as a negative value lower than the address 0. ,
An image processing apparatus characterized in that address setting 2 to address setting m are set to address 0 or more. 6. The address setting m according to claim 4, wherein, if the last bit of the read input image data and the n-th bit is an address n of the memory means, the address setting m can be set to an address n or more. Further, the address setting 1 to the address setting (m-1) are set to be equal to or less than the address n. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image output direction designating unit for designating an image output direction. When reading an image in accordance with the specified address setting, if the image output direction is specified in the reverse direction, the image is read from the address setting m, and the address counter is sequentially decremented from the address setting m while decrementing the address counter (m-1). ) Until all white data is output,
From the address setting (m-1) to the address setting (m-2), the read image data is output and the address setting (m
An image processing apparatus which outputs all white data from -2) to address setting (m-3), and similarly outputs image data and all white data until address setting 1. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image enlargement / reduction designation unit that designates enlargement / reduction of an image. An image processing apparatus for sequentially enlarging or reducing an image while reading an image in accordance with an address setting specified by an image range specifying unit and a white addition specifying unit. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the enlargement or reduction is performed only in the range from the address setting 1 to the address setting m without enlarging or reducing the entire read image data. Image processing device. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the image is sequentially enlarged or reduced while reading the image from the address setting 1, and while the address counter is incremented, all white data is sequentially output from the address setting 1 to the address setting 2. Setting 2 to Address setting 3
The scanned image data is output until address setting 3
An image processing apparatus which outputs all white data from the first to the fourth address setting, and similarly outputs image data and all the white data until the address setting m. 11. The document table according to claim 1, wherein a document table on which the document is placed, a light source for irradiating the document,
A line image sensor that photoelectrically converts reflected light from a document to output a video signal, driving means for relatively moving the line image sensor in a sub-scanning direction at a predetermined scanning speed along the document surface, and the line image sensor A / D conversion means for A / D converting the video signal output from
An image processing apparatus having at least two lines of memory means for sequentially storing A / D converted digital image data for each line. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is configured as an image reading apparatus as a component of an image processing system having various composite functions.