JPH11239266A - Image output processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output an easy-to-watch image by recording and reproducing on a recording member without damaging the feature of each image by standardizing the output size of the image to be outputted corresponding to the feature, excepting for an image size, of the extracted image. SOLUTION: A multilevel image processing part 402 extracts the feature excepting for an image size from an image read by a scanner part 31 or received by a facsimile board 603. Next, corresponding to the feature of the image extracted by this multilevel image processing part 402 excepting for the image size, a CPU 401 standardizes the output size of images to be outputted from a laser printer part. As a result, the features of inputted images are extracted excepting for image sizes and all the images are outputted in the standardized output size. Thus, even when inputted image information is composed of image data groups in plural different sizes, the output forms of all the images are standardized.

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 that performs predetermined image processing on a document image read by a scanner unit or image information sent from an external device via a communication unit, and outputs the image from a printer unit. The present invention relates to an image output processing device such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine for outputting the data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, devices such as personal computers, digital cameras, and portable terminals that handle information as digital data have become widespread.

In the copying machine market, there are many demands for outputting high-quality images from such an environment or the like, and for easily copying without deteriorating the original image representation of a document such as a photograph. To make this possible, digital copiers that digitally process and output manuscript images have been commercialized from various companies.

In such a market environment, in order to propose the features of the digital copying machine, each company has put on the market a multi-accessible product equipped with a facsimile and a printer function.

In a conventional digital copying machine, image information is read by a scanner mounted on the copying machine itself or input from an external personal computer or an image information generating device such as a facsimile via a communication device. After receiving the image information, the only thing is to record and reproduce the image on the recording paper of the designated size and output it.

For this reason, when image information having different image sizes is input, the size of the recording paper to be recorded and reproduced varies, and there is a problem that the output recording materials are not united.

In particular, recent digital copiers have been put on the market as multi-accessible products as described above, and thus image information input in various modes is recorded and reproduced on recording paper and output. In this case, the recording material is confused on the discharge unit of the digital copying machine, that is, on the paper discharge tray, and in the worst case, the recording material on which the image is recorded is lost.

[0008] Further, if the image recording sizes are various, when images of different sizes exist in one image group, the sizes of the recording materials reproduced and reproduced are different from each other. However, there is a problem that it is inconvenient to do so.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, an image recording apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-9145 has been disclosed.

According to the technique disclosed in this publication, when an original of A4 size, B5 size, or B4 size is
When the sizes are unified to four sizes, the problem that the size of the B5 size is excessively enlarged while the size of the B4 size may be excessively reduced is solved.

As a means for solving the problem, the image recording apparatus extracts an image data area for each read original, and has the largest image area size among the extracted image data areas. Is detected, and the largest size is determined as the center reference area size.

A printable paper size is selected from the determined reference area size, and the read original image is recorded on the selected paper while performing magnification conversion and the like.

[0013]

However, in the conventional image output processing apparatus such as an image recording apparatus, the image is a halftone image such as a photograph, a character or a diagram, or an image quality such as resolution. Does not take into account the characteristics of the image except for the image size, such as how large the image size is. Therefore, for example, even if the size of an image such as a photograph is reduced or enlarged to unify the size, the output image is not always easy to see. There is a problem that.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to reduce the size of input image information when recording and reproducing an input image group on a recording material and outputting it. The image to be used as a reference is determined based on the characteristics excluding the above, and the output is unified to the output size of the determined image information, so that the image is recorded on the recording material as much as possible without impairing the characteristics of the image for each image. An object of the present invention is to provide an image output processing device that can reproduce and output a uniform and easy-to-view image as a result.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output processing apparatus, comprising: an image read by a scanner or transmitted from an external device; In an image output processing apparatus provided with an image output unit for outputting a received image, an image read by the scanner unit or an image received by the image receiving unit, a feature excluding an image size, for example, an image Is a halftone image such as a photograph, a character or a diagram,
Or, image quality extraction means for extracting image features other than the image size such as how much the image quality such as resolution, and according to the features except the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extraction means, An output form unifying means for unifying an output size of an image output from the image output means is provided.

According to the above invention, the image feature extracting means includes:
Features other than the image size are extracted from the image read by the scanner unit or the image received by the image receiving unit.

Next, the output form unifying unit unifies the output size of the image output from the image output unit according to the feature excluding the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extracting unit.

As a result, features other than the image size of the input image are extracted, and all the images are output in a unified output size. Even if it is composed of groups,
When output, the output form of all images is unified.
As a result, an output that is easy to handle can be obtained.

Here, in the present invention, when unifying the output size of an image, the image feature extracting means removes the image size from the input image, for example, whether the image is a halftone image such as a photograph or a character. Features other than the image size, such as the shape of the image or the image quality such as the resolution, are extracted and unified based on the extracted features.

That is, in the case of a character or a diagram, the visibility is not so different from the point of view of image quality even if magnification processing such as enlargement or reduction is performed. It may be worse. Further, when an image having a low resolution is enlarged, the poor image quality becomes more noticeable.

Therefore, by judging what the features of these images are and then outputting the images in unified output size, it is possible to obtain an output image group in which each image is easy to see.

As a result, when the input image group is recorded and reproduced on a recording material and output, the image to be used as a reference is determined based on the characteristics excluding the size of the input image information, and the determined image is determined. An image output processing device that can output a uniform and easy-to-view image as a result by unifying the output size of the image information and outputting as much as possible without impairing the characteristics of the image of each image on the recording material. Can be provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the output form unifying means is extracted by the image feature extracting means. Reference image determining means for determining an image serving as a reference based on a feature excluding the image size of the selected image, and other images so as to match the output size of the reference image determined by the reference image determining means. And a form changing means for changing the output size of the data.

According to the above invention, the output mode unifying means includes:
The reference image determining means includes a reference image determining means and a form changing means, and the reference image determining means determines a reference image based on a feature excluding the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extracting means. Is changed to match the output size of the reference image determined by the reference image determination means.

As a result, the output size is unified as one image group by the reference image determination means and the form changing means without failing to impair the characteristics of the input image and utilizing the characteristics of the images. Can be output.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the output form unifying means comprises:
The image is characterized in that the output size is unified based on a halftone image.

According to the above invention, the output mode unifying means comprises:
The output size is unified based on the halftone image as a feature of the image.

For this reason, when the input image consists of or includes a halftone image, the output size is unified by giving priority to the halftone image. As a result, it is possible to prevent a halftone image, which is difficult to scale, from being easily enlarged or reduced, and to output the image uniformly without impairing the image quality.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the output form unifying means comprises:
The feature is that the output size is unified based on the resolution information as a feature of the image.

According to the above invention, the output form unifying means unifies the output size based on the resolution information as a feature of the image.

Thus, the output size can be unified and output without deteriorating the image quality of the input image.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the form changing means converts one image to a plurality of recording materials. The output size is changed by dividing.

According to the above invention, the form changing means includes
The output size is changed by dividing one image into a plurality of recording materials.

As a result, if the input image is A3 size or B4 size
In the case of a large size such as a size, for example, it is possible to divide into two and output unifiedly, such as A4 size or B5 size, so that all output sizes are unified as a recording material on which an image is recorded. And can be arranged on a tray.

Further, since the image is not reduced, the image quality and the visibility of the image are not impaired.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output processing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the form changing means performs paper folding on the recording material. The feature is to change the output size.

According to the invention, the form changing means changes the output size by folding the recording material.

As a result, for example, when the input image has a large size such as the A3 size or the B4 size, the input image is folded to the A4 size or the B5 size or the like, and is unified.

For this reason, it is possible to output an image with the original size of the input image as much as possible and without any modification.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output processing apparatus for outputting an image read by a scanner or an image sent from an external device and received by an image receiving means. An image output processing device provided with an image output unit for extracting, from an image read by the scanner unit or an image received by the image reception unit, an image feature extraction unit for extracting a feature excluding an image size. Output form unifying means for unifying the output size of the image output from the image output means in accordance with a feature excluding the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extraction means, and unifying the output form. Means for determining a reference image based on a feature excluding the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extracting means; Means for changing the output size of another image so as to match the output size of the reference image determined by the means, while changing the image whose output size has been changed by the form changing means. It is characterized in that image storage management means for storing and managing together with the previous image is provided.

According to the above invention, the image storage management means includes:
The image whose output size has been changed by the form changing means is stored and managed together with the image before the change.

For this reason, even if the user wants an image in the state at the time of input after confirming the recorded matter output in the form in which the output size is adjusted, the image can be read out from the image storage management means and output.

[0043]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Embodiment 1] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The digital copying machine as the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is, for example, a multifunction machine having a facsimile function and including peripheral devices such as a post-processing device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the digital copying machine 30 is roughly divided into a scanner section 31 as scanner means and a laser printer section 32 as image output means.

The scanner section 31 includes a document table 35 made of transparent glass, and a double-sided automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as a document feeder) for automatically feeding and conveying the document onto the document table 35.
"RADF: Recirculating Automatic Document Feede
r ”) and a document image reading unit, that is, a scanner unit 40 for scanning and reading an image of the document placed on the document placing table 35.

The scanner section 31 reads an image of a document on the document table 35. The document image read by the scanner unit 31 is sent as image data to a CCD 44 described later, and the CCD 44 performs predetermined image processing on the image data.

The RADF 36 sets a plurality of documents at a time on a document tray (not shown), and automatically sets the set documents one by one in the scanner unit 4.
This is a device that feeds the original document onto the original placing table 35. Also, R
The ADF 36 causes the scanner unit 40 to read one or both sides of the document according to the operator's selection.
It comprises a transport path for one-sided originals, a transport path for double-sided originals, and a transport path switching unit. still,
Since many applications and commercializations have been made on the RADF 36, further description is omitted. Further, the RADF 36 does not necessarily need to exist, and may be a simple ADF.

On the other hand, a scanner unit 40 constituting the scanner section 31 is provided to guide a lamp reflector assembly 41 for irradiating the original surface and a reflected light image from the original to a photoelectric conversion element (CCD: Charge Coupled Device) 44. A first scanning unit 40a having a first reflecting mirror 42a for reflecting light reflected from a document; a second reflecting mirror 42b for guiding a reflected light image from the first reflecting mirror 42a to the CCD 44; A second scanning unit 40b having a reflection mirror 42c mounted thereon, and an optical lens body 43 for forming a reflected light image from the original on the CCD 44 via the reflection mirrors 42a, 42b, and 42c described above.
And the CCD 44 for converting the reflected light image from the original into an electric image signal.

The scanner unit 31 moves the scanner unit 40 along the lower surface of the document table 35 while sequentially placing the documents to be read on the document table 35 by the operation related to the RADF 36 and the scanner unit 40. The original image is read by scanning.

The image data of the original image obtained by reading by the scanner unit 40 is sent to an image processing unit to be described later, and after being subjected to various processes, the processed image data is sent to the laser printer unit 32. The image is supplied to a laser writing unit (LSU) 46 and reproduced as a visible image on a photosensitive drum 48 in an electrophotographic process, and thereafter, an image is formed on recording paper as a recording material.

The laser printer unit 32 includes a recording paper transport system for forming an image, a laser writing unit 46, and a processing unit 47 for forming an image by an electrophotographic system.

The laser writing unit 46 includes a semiconductor laser light source (not shown), a polygon mirror and f-θ.
A lens and the like are built in. The semiconductor laser light source emits a laser beam according to image data read from the image memory after being read by the scanner unit 40 or image data transferred from an external device. This laser light is deflected at a constant angular velocity by a polygon mirror, and further corrected by a f-θ lens so as to be deflected at a constant angular velocity on a photosensitive drum 48 constituting the process unit 47.

The process section 47 is of a known type, and includes a charger, a developing device,
A transfer device, a peeling device, a cleaning device, a static eliminator, and the like are provided.

On the other hand, the recording paper transport system includes a transport path 55 for transporting the recording paper to a transfer position where the transfer unit of the process unit 47 for forming an image is disposed, and a transport path 5 for this transport path.
5, a first cassette 51, a second cassette 52, and a multi-bypass tray 54 for feeding recording paper, a fixing device 49 for fixing an image formed on the recording paper after transfer, that is, a toner image, and a fixing device 49. A paper path 50 leading to a transport path 57 leading to the finisher 34 and a duplex switchback transport path 58 branched to the duplex copying unit 53 on the downstream side in the transport direction, and an image is formed again on the back side of the fixed recording paper. And a double-sided copying unit 53 for re-supplying the recording paper.

Each of the first cassette 51 and the second cassette 52 stores a bundle of recording paper for each size. When an operator selects a cassette containing a desired size, the cassettes in the cassettes are stored. The recording paper bundle is sent out one by one from the top, and is sequentially conveyed to the image forming unit of the laser printer unit 32 via the conveyance path 55.

In the laser printer unit 32, the image data read from the image memory is formed as an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 48 by scanning the laser beam with the laser writing unit 46.
The toner image visualized by the toner is stored in the first cassette 5
The image is electrostatically transferred and fixed on the surface of the recording paper conveyed from the first and second cassettes 52 and the like.

The recording paper on which the image has been formed in this way is fed from the fixing device 49 to the paper discharge conveyance path 50 and the conveyance path 57.
To the finisher 34, or selectively transported to the duplex copying unit 53 through the paper discharge transport path 50 and the duplex switchback transport path 58.

Next, in this digital copying machine 30,
The configuration and function of an image processing unit that performs image processing on read document image information will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing section includes a main central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") located substantially at the center.
(Referred to as “Central Processing Unit”) 401, a sub-central processing unit (CP) mounted for each unit.
The operation is managed while cooperating with U).

As can be seen from this block diagram, the image processing section is composed of an operation panel board 100 for managing and controlling an operation panel located substantially at the upper right of the figure and a digital copying machine 30 located at the upper left of the figure. Control board 200 for managing and controlling each unit
And a CCD board 300 electrically reading a document image located substantially at the lower left in the figure and using the CCD board 300 as electronic data. A main image processing board 400 for performing image processing; a sub-image processing board 500 for further performing predetermined image processing on image information processed by the main image processing board 400; For example, a printer board or FA connected to the sub-image processing board 500 through an interface.
It is composed of another extension board group 600 such as an X board or a function extension board.

The contents managed and controlled for each board will be described below.

First, the operation panel board 100
Is basically controlled by the sub CPU 101, and manages a display screen of the LCD touch panel 104 arranged on the operation panel 103, an operation input from the operation key group 105 for inputting an instruction regarding various modes, and the like. .
The operation panel board 100 is provided with a memory 102 for storing data input from the operation key group 105 and various control information on the operation panel such as information to be displayed on the LCD screen.

The operation panel board 100 described above
Then, the sub CPU 101 performs control data communication with the main CPU 401 and instructs the operation of the digital copying machine 30. The main CPU 401 sends a control signal indicating the operation state of the digital copier 30 to the sub CPU
To the LCD of the operation panel 103
An operation state of the apparatus, which is currently in a state, is displayed to the operator via the display screen of the touch panel 104.

Next, the machine control board 200
Is controlled by the sub CPU 201 as a whole.
An automatic document feeder 203 such as DF / RADF 36, a scanner unit 31 for reading a document image, a process unit 47 for reproducing image information as an image, and a recording sheet on which an image is recorded are sequentially conveyed from the storage unit to the process unit 47. A paper feeding / conveying unit 206, a double-sided copying unit 53 that reverses and conveys the recording paper so that the image is formed on both sides of the recording paper by reversing the recording paper on which the image is recorded, It manages a finisher 34 for performing post-processing such as stapling.

The automatic document feeder 203 such as the ADF / RADF 36 and the finisher 34 which performs post-processing such as stapling or paper folding such as Z-folding or bag binding on recording paper on which an image is recorded are provided. Further, the respective sub CPUs 203a and 208a are provided exclusively for the unit, and operation control management of each unit is performed in each unit. These operations are performed by the main CPU 401, the sub CPU 101 of the operation panel board 100,
And the sub CPU 2 of the machine control board 200
01 and taking related movements.

Next, the CCD board 300 includes a CCD 44 for electrically reading an original image and a CCD gate array (CCDG / A) as a circuit for driving the CCD 44.
An analog circuit 303 for adjusting the gain of analog data output from the CCD 44;
And an A / D converter 304 for converting the analog output of the above into a digital signal and outputting it as electronic data. The control and management are performed by the main CPU 401.

The main image processing board 400 is controlled by the main CPU 401, and can express the gradation of the image in a desired state based on the electronic data of the original image sent from the CCD board 300. As described above, as an image feature extraction unit that performs processing in the state of multi-valued image data such as shading correction, density correction, area separation, filter processing, MTF correction, resolution conversion, electronic zoom, ie, scaling processing, and γ correction. Multi-value image processing unit 402
A memory 403 for storing processed image data or various control information such as management of processing procedures, and a laser writing unit (LSU) 46 for reproducing an image with the processed image information. And a laser control 404 for controlling the transfer of data to the side.

Next, the sub image processing board 500 is connected to the main image processing board 400 and the connectors 405 and 50.
5, a binary image processing unit 501 controlled by the main CPU 401 of the main image processing board 400.
And a memory gate array (memory G / G) for controlling a memory that stores and manages binary image information subjected to image processing by the binary image processing unit 501 or control information in processing.
A) 502 and a hard disk for storing and managing a plurality of document image information and controlling a hard disk (HD) for repeatedly reading a plurality of document images by a desired number of copies and generating a plurality of copies. Gate array (R
DH G / A) 503, SCSI as an external interface, and an interface gate array (SCSI G / A) 504 for controlling the SCSI.

The binary image processing section 501 performs a multi-level binary conversion processing section for converting multi-level image information into a binary image, an image rotation processing section for rotating an image, and a scaling process for a binary image. 2
It comprises a value scaling (zoom) processing unit, compression / decompression, etc., and further includes a fax interface so that fax images can be transmitted and received via communication means.

On the other hand, the expansion board group 600 includes, for example, a printer board 601 for enabling data transmitted from a personal computer or the like to be output from the laser printer section 32 of the digital copying machine 30 in a printer mode. A function expansion board 602 for extending the editing function of the digital copier 30 to effectively use the features of the digital copier 30, transmitting a document image read from the scanner unit 31 of the digital copier 30 to the other party, A facsimile board (FAX board) 603 or the like is provided as image receiving means for enabling image information sent from the printer to be output from the printer unit of the digital copying machine 30.

Hereinafter, the processing of each image data and the flow of the image data in the copy mode, the facsimile mode, and the printer mode of the digital copying machine 30 as the image processing apparatus will be described in more detail.

(Copy Mode) The original set at a predetermined position of the RADF 36 in the digital copying machine 30 is
The documents are sequentially supplied one by one onto the document mounting table 35 of the scanner unit 40, and the image of the document is sequentially read by the configuration of the scanner unit 40 described above, and transferred to the main image processing board 400 as 8-bit electronic data. You.

The 8-bit electronic data transferred to the main image processing board 400 is subjected to predetermined processing on the multi-value image processing section 402 as 8-bit electronic image data.

The 8-bit electronic image data is subjected to processing such as gamma correction and the like, and sent to the laser writing unit 46 via the laser control 404. As a result, the document image read by the scanner unit 31 of the digital copying machine 30 is output from the laser printer unit 32 as a toned copy image.

(Electronic RDH Function in Copy Mode)
Documents set in a predetermined position of the RADF 36 of the digital copying machine 30 are sequentially supplied one by one onto a document mounting table 35 of the scanner unit 40, and images of the documents are sequentially supplied by the configuration of the scanner unit 40 described above. It is read and transferred to the main image processing board 400 as 8-bit electronic data.

The 8-bit electronic data transferred to the main image processing board 400 is subjected to predetermined processing by the multi-value image processing unit 402 as 8-bit electronic image data.

The 8-bit electronic image data is sent from the connector 405 on the main image processing board 400 to the sub-image processing board 500 via the connector 505 on the sub-image processing board 500, and the binary image processing is performed. Part 50
In one multi-level binary conversion processing unit, 8-bit electronic image data is converted into 1-bit electronic image data together with processing such as error diffusion. The reason that 8-bit electronic image data is converted into 1-bit electronic image data including processing such as error diffusion is that simply performing multi-level binary conversion has a problem in image quality. The purpose is to reduce the deterioration of the image quality.

The reason why the 8-bit electronic image data is converted into the 1-bit electronic image data is that the storage capacity of the image is taken into consideration.

The 1-bit electronic image data thus converted is transferred to a disk memory such as a hard disk (HD) for each document and temporarily stored and managed.

When all the originals set on the RADF 36 of the digital copying machine 30 are read, the 1-bit electronic image data temporarily stored in the hard disk (HD) is temporarily controlled by the hard disk gate array 503. Reads repeatedly for the specified number of copies.
The read 1-bit electronic image data is again transmitted to the main image processing board 400 via the connectors 505 and 405.
To the laser control 4
The data is sent to the laser writing unit 46 via the line 04.

In the present embodiment, it has been described that the image group is repeatedly read out by the desired number of copies after all the original group images have been read. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be configured to output sequentially when a predetermined number of images are ready.

As a result, the original image read by the scanner unit 31 of the digital copying machine 30 is output from the laser printer unit 32 as a copy image with gradation.

(Printer Mode) An image sent from a network-connected external device such as a personal computer is developed on the printer board 601 as an image in units of pages on the printer board 601, and then is transmitted from the interface gate array 504. The data is temporarily transferred to the sub-image processing board 500 side and stored in a memory such as a hard disk (HD).

The image developed as a page image on the printer board 601 is sent to the sub-image processing board 500 side, but the binary image processing is not performed on the page image, and the page image is temporarily stored on the hard disk (HD). It just works. Also, the page image once stored is stored on the hard disk (H
Also when reading from D), no binary image processing is performed on the page image.

The image information temporarily stored in the hard disk (HD) is sent to the main image processing board 400 while being read from the hard disk (HD) in a predetermined page order, and is subjected to γ correction, From the control 404 to the laser writing unit (LSU) 4
At 6, the writing of the image is controlled so as to reproduce the image.

(Fax Mode) The fax mode includes a process of transmitting a document to a destination and a process of receiving a document from the destination.

First, transmission of a document to a destination will be described.

When the original is transmitted to the destination, the originals set at a predetermined position of the RADF 36 of the digital copying machine 30 are sequentially supplied one by one onto the original mounting table 35 of the scanner unit 40, and the originals of the originals are transmitted. The images are sequentially read by the configuration of the scanner unit 40 described above, and are transferred to the main image processing board 400 as 8-bit electronic data.

The 8-bit electronic data transferred to the main image processing board 400 is subjected to predetermined processing on the multi-value image processing section 402 as 8-bit electronic image data.

The 8-bit electronic image data is then transferred to the connector 40 on the main image processing board 400 side.
5 is sent to the sub-image processing board 500 via the connector 505 on the sub-image processing board 500 side, and the multi-valued binary conversion processing unit of the binary image processing unit 501 performs 8-bit electronic image processing together with error diffusion processing. The data is converted into 1-bit electronic image data.

The reason that 8-bit electronic image data is converted into 1-bit electronic image data, including processing such as error diffusion, is that simply performing multi-level binary conversion causes a problem in image quality. This is because considerations have been given to reduce deterioration of image quality.

The transmission document converted into a binary image in this manner is compressed in a predetermined format and stored in a memory through a memory gate array (memory G / A) 502. Then, when a transmission procedure with the destination is performed and a state in which transmission is possible is secured, the transmission original image read out from the memory and compressed in a predetermined format is transferred to the facsimile board 603 side, and the facsimile board 603 After performing necessary processing such as changing the compression format, the data is sequentially transmitted to the other party via the communication line.

Next, processing of a document image transmitted from a destination will be described.

When the original is transmitted from the other party via the communication line, the original image transmitted from the other party is received while performing the communication procedure on the facsimile board 603, and is compressed into a predetermined format. The received image in the state is sent to the binary image processing unit 501 of the sub-image processing board 500.
The original image transmitted from the fax interface provided to the binary image processing section 501 and transmitted as a page image by the compression / decompression processing section or the like is reproduced. The document image reproduced as a page-by-page image is transferred to the main image processing board 400 to perform γ correction, and the laser control unit 404 writes the image so that the image is reproduced by the laser writing unit (LSU) 46. Is controlled.

As can be seen from the above configuration, the image processing section for performing predetermined processing on image information is mainly composed of the scanner section 3.
1. A main image processing board 400 for processing the original image read and input from 1 as multi-valued image information, and a binarization process for the original image information processed as multi-valued image information by the main image processing board 400 Or the like, or after performing predetermined processing on image information sent from a device connected via an external interface, the multi-valued image processing unit 4 of the main image processing board 400.
And a sub image processing board 500 for transferring the data to the 02 side.

Further, the main image processing board 400 includes:
In order to reproduce an image from the laser writing unit 46 on the photosensitive drum 48 of the electrophotographic process, a laser control 404 for controlling writing of image information of the laser writing unit 46 is included.

With this configuration, the original image read and input from the scanner unit 31 can be reproduced as a copy image from the laser printer unit 32 without impairing the characteristics of the image of the original as a multi-valued image. When high-speed output processing of an original is performed using an electronic RDH function or the like, the sub-image processing board 500 and the hard disk (H
D) and the like.

Further, the processing and output of image information from external devices such as other fax machines and printers, especially, the transmission original which has been subjected to further multi-valued image processing only for the facsimile, that is, the original image characteristic is maintained. In this configuration, appropriate processing can be performed on the image information in accordance with the digital features and functions provided as the digital copying machine 30, such as binarization processing.

Further, by dispersing the image processing sections, it is possible to prepare a variety of digital copiers 30, that is, a wide variety of lineups, and it is possible to install digital copiers according to the needs of the user. Even after installation, it is possible to easily develop the system according to the user's request.

Next, since the main CPU 401 arranged on the main image processing board 400 also manages and controls the sub image processing board 500 in the above configuration, the processing is continuously performed in each processing section. The flow of the entire image is managed, and the flow of data and processing becomes smooth. Therefore, no image data is lost.

(Explanation of Operation Panel) As shown in FIG. 4, an operation panel 103 controlled and controlled by the operation panel board 100 shown in FIG. An operation key group 105 for setting various modes and inputting various operating conditions is also arranged around the LCD touch panel 104.

On the screen of the LCD touch panel 104, a basic start screen for selecting various modes is always displayed. If necessary, an area relating to an instruction of a desired mode is directly pressed with a finger to perform various operations. The liquid crystal screen sequentially transitions so that a mode can be selected and instructed. From among the various displayed modes, an editing function is set by touching a region where a function desired by the operator is displayed with a finger.

The various setting keys arranged on the operation panel 103 will be briefly described.

First, an overview of the digital copying machine is displayed at a substantially central portion of the LCD touch panel 104. Further, below the overview, a copy density setting key 7 for setting copy density and a recording paper size are displayed. A paper size setting key 8 to be set and a magnification setting key 9 to set a copy magnification are provided.

On the left side of the LCD touch panel 104, a special function mode key 10 for transitioning the liquid crystal display screen to an edit mode setting screen for editing a document image, and a processing mode for shifting to a double-sided copy mode are set. Duplex mode key 1 for transitioning the LCD screen to the setting screen
1, a sorter / staple key 12 for transitioning the liquid crystal display screen to an instruction screen for an output mode such as a sorter / staple, and a setting confirmation key 13 for confirming the contents of the currently set mode. Have been.

Further, on the left side of the LCD touch panel 104, an operation guide key 14 for displaying guidance information such as an operation method on a screen, and the operation guide key 1
The scroll key 14 for scrolling the guidance information displayed on the LCD touch panel 104 up and down by the operation of 4 to confirm the display of the entire guidance information
1 · 142 are provided.

Further, on the right side, a numeric keypad 15 for inputting numerical information such as the number of copies, an interrupt key 16 for interrupting a new copy mode into a copy mode currently being processed, and a numeric keypad 15 Etc., a clear key 17 for clearing the conditions entered by the user, an all clear key 18 for clearing all the states of the digital copying machine and returning to the standard state, and starting processing in a mode set by these keys. And a start key 19 for instructing the user.

Further, on the left side of the operation panel 103, three key groups such as a fax mode key 20, a printer mode key 21, and a copy mode key 22 are arranged in order from the top. These are mode switching means for switching and operating the digital copying machine.

The operation panel 103 and the various keys arranged on the operation panel 103 are merely examples, and the keys provided on the operation panel 103 differ depending on various functions mounted on the digital copier. .

In the digital copying machine 30 having the above configuration, a processing method for receiving image information input from an interface board or the like via the scanner unit 31 or a communication line and outputting the image information from the laser printer unit 32 will be described. I do.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, in a facsimile mode, three types of original image groups are transmitted from an external facsimile machine. These three types of original image groups are, for example, a first original group shown in FIG. 6A, a second original group shown in FIG.
This is the third document group shown in FIG.

The information relating to the image of each original image group includes image sizes such as A4 size, A3 size, B5 size, B4 size, etc., as shown in FIG. 200x200
There are resolutions such as dpi, 200 × 400 dpi called fine, and 400 × 400 dpi called super fine and others.

Information on the images of these original image groups is confirmed for each image by a communication protocol or the like with the facsimile machine on the transmission destination side, and stored and managed in a state corresponding to the image information.

(Reference Image Determination and Unified Processing Method by Image Feature Extraction) In the digital copying machine 30 of the present embodiment, the output processing is performed by unifying the output size of the image based on the characteristics of the received original image. It is supposed to.
Here, for convenience, in the facsimile mode,
A method for unifying the output size of an image based on the characteristics of a received document image and performing output processing will be described. Are the same, and will be omitted.

(Determining Method 1) First, a method of unifying the received image information group to the image size of the first page will be described.

Normally, as a facsimile transmission original, a cover letter comes on the first sheet in the group of originals. Therefore, if the size of the first image is unified, there is usually no problem. That is, it is considered that the cover letter is usually composed of characters and diagrams, and that the second and subsequent documents are generally composed of text such as characters and diagrams. Also, regarding the resolution, the cover letter and the document are usually considered to be the same.

Therefore, the image received in the facsimile mode is the same as the first document group shown in FIG. 6A, where the first document is A4 size, the second is A4 size, and the third is A3 size. , And the fourth document is of A4 size, and the resolution of the first document is normal, the second and subsequent document images are set to the same size as the first document based on the first document. Is processed. In this case, since the reference document size of the first sheet is A4, all the second and subsequent document images are processed to have the A4 size.

At this time, since the original size of the original is A4, the second original and the fourth original are
Is reproduced on the recording paper. However, since the document size of the third image is A3, it must be reproduced on A4 size recording paper.

As this method, FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b)
As shown in (c), a method of reducing and reproducing an A3 size image into an A4 size image by image processing;
There are a method of dividing an image of three sizes into A4 size recording paper for recording, and a method of recording on A3 size recording paper and then folding the A4 size paper. That is, specifically, as shown in FIG. 1C, for example, a paper folding process such as Z-folding or bag folding is performed. In each of these methods, a multi-valued image processing unit 40 as a form changing unit is instructed by the CPU 401 as an image feature extracting unit and a reference image deciding unit.
This is performed by the binary image processing unit 501 and the finisher 34.

As a result, it is possible to output the image including the subsequent images in a form unified to the first original image recording size.

In the printer mode, similarly to the facsimile mode, in a data processing apparatus such as a personal computer, the transmitted original image usually comes from the first page, so that image information corresponding to the first image data is stored in the original page. After it is determined, processing is performed to change the subsequent images to the size of the image.

Further, in the case of the copy mode, usually, reading and input are sequentially performed from the last original.
After the reading is completed, the last image is determined as the reference image, and the remaining image is changed to the determined image size.

As described above, if it is clear what order the input image information is to be sent, it is necessary to input the image information in advance in order to determine the leading image information according to the input mode. It is possible to set such that the first or last image of the obtained image information is determined as the first page.

(Determining Method 2) Next, a method for determining another reference image will be described.

For example, in the received image, a halftone image having a gradation such as a photograph, a color drawing, or another drawing is partially included, or an image itself which is a halftone image is referred to as a reference image. There is a method of processing as.

This method is one of the processing methods for giving priority to the image quality of the transmitted image. If the processing of the first document group is described as an example, it is shown in FIGS. As described above, since the second document is a halftone image sent as a 200 * 400 dpi fine image, the output size is controlled such that all the remaining images are A4-size recorded matter based on this document. I do.

At this time, the original of the first sheet and the original of the fourth sheet are recorded and reproduced as they are on the A4 size recording paper because the original size is A4. Is A3, so it must be reproduced on A4 size recording paper.

As described above, as described above, A3
A method of reducing and reproducing an A4 size image into an A4 size image by image processing by image processing, a method of dividing an A3 size image on A4 size recording paper, and a method of recording an A4 size image on an A3 size recording paper. There is a method of performing paper folding processing such as Z-folding or bag folding on the size.

As a result, it is possible to output the image including the subsequent images in a form unified to the second original image recording size.

(Determining Method 3) Another method of determining a reference image will be described. There is also a method of performing output processing by unifying the size of a received image to an intermediate image size.
This is a method in which all the images are output in a state that is easy to see from the whole of the received image. The processing method at this time will be described with reference to the second document group shown in FIG. 6B as an example.

The resolution of the second original group is normal and common, but the first original is B5 size and the second original is B4 size.
There are various sizes, such as the size of the third document and the A4 size. The A4 size is determined as the size located in the middle of the images, and the output forms of all the images are unified to the A4 size and processed.

At this time, the third original has an original size of A
4, the image is recorded and reproduced on A4 size recording paper as it is. However, the first image is A4 size because the document size is B5, and the second image is B4 size because the document size is B4. Each of them must be reproduced on A4 size recording paper.

As shown in FIG.
There are a method of reproducing an image of 5 size by enlarging it to an image of A4 size by image processing and reproducing the image of B5 size, and a method of recording an image of B5 size substantially at the center of an A4 size recording sheet. In addition, there is a method of reproducing a B4 size image by reducing it to an A4 size image.

(Confirmation Method 4) Another method for confirming the reference image will be described. The reference image size is decided so that the output form of the image can be unified without performing image processing as much as possible on the entire received image. There is a method of unifying output processing.

This method is designed to output all the images in a state where the whole of the received image is easy to see from the viewpoint of the entirety of the received image, and to be completed with a small amount of processing even from the image processing side, that is, the digital copying machine 30 side. Is the way. The processing method at this time will be described using the third document group shown in FIG. 6C as an example.

In the third document group, the first document is A4 size, the second document is B5 size, the third document is A4 size, and the fourth document is A4 size. The resolution is fine only for the third document, and the resolution is normal.

It is determined from the characteristics of each document that the image whose output form can be unified by the least number of processes is the second document.

That is, because the resolution of the second document is also normal and the size is B5, even if the enlargement processing is performed, the processing is simpler than reducing the other document images.

At this time, the first, third, and fourth originals are recorded and reproduced on A4 size recording paper as they are because the original size is A4. Since the size is B5, it must be reproduced and recorded on the recording paper as A4 size.

As shown in FIG.
There are a method of enlarging and reproducing a 5-size image into an A4-size image by image processing, and a method of recording a B5-size image substantially at the center of an A4-size recording sheet.

(Confirmation Method 5) Next, another method for confirming the reference image will be described. There is a method for confirming the reference image size from the resolution information of the received image and performing unified output processing.

This method is a method of outputting the entire image in a uniform size without deteriorating the characteristics of the received image, that is, the image quality inherent in the image, that is, image quality. To explain.

In the third document group, the first document is usually in A4 size, the second document is in B5 size, the third document is in A4 size fine, and the fourth document is in A4 size. Has become the norm.

From among these, the image whose output form can be unified most without deteriorating the image quality is determined to be the third original from the characteristics of each original.

That is, if the third document has a resolution of 20
This is because the original image is 0 * 400 dpi, which is higher than that of other original images, and if processing such as magnification conversion is performed on this original document based on another original document, image quality is degraded.

Accordingly, all the received original images are output as A4 size images. At this time, the first and third sheets,
The fourth document is recorded and reproduced on A4 size recording paper as it is because the original size is A4, but the second image is recorded and reproduced on recording paper as A4 size because the document size is B5. Must.

As described above, as described above, the B5
There is a method of enlarging and reproducing an A4 size image by image processing into an A4 size image by image processing, and a method of recording a B5 size image substantially at the center of an A4 size recording sheet.

The above is the description of the method of determining the reference image, and the output processing method applied to the remaining images so that the image is output in the same format as the determined image.

Next, a description will be given of a method of managing image information and image-related information when a document image is sent, by taking as an example a case where image information is sent in the facsimile mode.

FIG. 10 shows a transmission procedure in the case where a document image is transmitted from the transmission-side facsimile of the other party. The right side is the other party facsimile that transmits the document, and the left side is the other party facsimile. This is a facsimile on the side that receives the original sent from. It should be noted that the present embodiment is characterized by the right-side receiving facsimile.

First, a call is made from the transmission-side facsimile, and when the reception-side facsimile confirms the incoming call, the transmission-side facsimile sends a message indicating an operation instruction as to whether transmission is by facsimile or by telephone. Thereafter, when a FAX signal (CNG signal) is sent from the transmitting side, it is confirmed whether the received signal is a facsimile or a telephone, and if it is a facsimile, a CED signal is transmitted as a FAX response signal. As for the receiving-side facsimile, after confirming the call from the transmitting-side facsimile, it constantly checks the CNG signal from the transmitting side while transmitting a predetermined message.

Next, a facsimile capability signal (DIS signal) for transmitting the facsimile performance of the receiving side, that is, the receiving size, the compression / decompression method, and the like to the other party's facsimile is transmitted.

Next, in response to the transmission of these signals, a reception mode determination signal (DCS signal) is transmitted from the transmission side facsimile.
Then, a communication test signal (TCF signal) is sent. When the communication state is confirmed based on the communication test signal (TCF signal), a reception preparation completion signal (CFR signal) is transmitted to the transmitting facsimile, and the preparation for receiving the image transmitted from the other party facsimile is performed. Complete the procedure.

When the preparation procedure for transmission / reception is completed, transmission / reception of the transmitted original is started next.

First, the document is transmitted in a form in which information on the document to be transmitted, such as the width and resolution of the document, is added to the top header portion of the first transmitted document. Note that the receiving facsimile has a management table 603c in the memory 603b for managing information relating to a document for each transmission document.
This management table 603c stores the information attached to the header portion of the transmitted document, and stores the transmitted document in the form of one.
The images are stored in the memory 603b.

When the transmission of one original is completed, the transmitting side sends a page end signal (EOP) indicating the end of the first original.
Signal). The receiving side that has confirmed the EOP signal sends out a reception completion signal (MCF signal) indicating reception completion.

The transmitting facsimile repeats this transmitting procedure until there are no more originals to be transmitted, and when all originals to be transmitted have been transmitted, sends out a line disconnection signal (DCN signal) indicating disconnection of the communication line, and Cut off the communication line. Then, the receiving facsimile also cuts off the communication line when receiving this DCN signal.

By this communication, a group of transmission originals is sequentially transmitted from the transmission side, and the facsimile of the reception side, that is, the digital copying machine 30, stores the transmitted original image and the information on the original image in the memory in a state where they correspond to each other. 60
3b is stored and managed in the management table 603c. If the output of the image is determined by the above-mentioned processing method based on the information on the document image stored and managed, the image is output in a unified form for each of the received image groups.

In the above description, the output mode of the image is determined based on the characteristics of the received document image information. However, not only the characteristics of the image information are used as the determination conditions, but also the image output mode is determined. Alternatively, the output form may be determined by including information on the recordable paper size in the laser printer unit 32.

The processing method at this time will be described in detail. For example, when the first document group shown in FIG. 6A is to be output, the third output form shown in FIG.
That is, the output form is unified by the paper folding process. At this time, if there is no recording paper of A3 size, control is performed so as to output the received image in the first or second output form.

In this way, even if there is no A3-size recording paper, it is possible to output the received image reliably without stopping the output of the image forcibly trying to output in the third output form. Becomes

Further, when an image output process is being performed with the output unified size set to A4, there may be a case where the recording paper of A4 size runs out before the output of the image for one image group is completed.

At this time, if the output of the image is stagnated by prompting the replenishment of the recording paper, there is no way to consider when the output of the image is restarted. In such a case, if the unified output size is changed and the image output is restarted from the beginning, the output processing of the received image can be performed smoothly.

In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, means for detecting the remaining amount of recording paper in the sheet storage section such as the first cassette 51 and the second cassette 52 is provided. If the number is small, it is also possible to select another recording sheet and control the recording and reproduction of the image without selecting the recording sheet size that can be recorded from the beginning.

Further, as a method for determining the output mode, if the image output mode cannot be output in the determined mode even though the image output mode has been determined based on the characteristics of the image, the output is possible. The output form of the received image is determined again based on the appropriate recording paper size information. Therefore, at this time, first, the features of the received image are prioritized, and processing is performed so as to output the image reliably.

Furthermore, as in the present embodiment, when the finisher 34 capable of performing a process such as folding or binding a recording sheet on which an image is recorded is mounted as a digital copying system. For example, it is possible to unify another image to the size of the paper finally determined when the paper is subjected to the paper folding process and to perform the output process.

For example, if the A3 size recording paper is subjected to post-processing such as Z-folding or bag folding, and the size becomes A4 size, the remaining images are reproduced on A4 size recording paper. Remember. On the other hand, when the B4 size recording paper is subjected to post-processing such as Z-folding or bag folding, if the size becomes B5 size, the remaining images are stored so that the images are reproduced on the B5 size recording paper. Do.

When the post-processing mode is instructed to bind a plurality of recording papers such as a stapling device mounted on the finisher 34, the output forms of the automatically received image information are unified and output. It is possible to make the process to work automatically.

Thus, it is possible to prevent in advance the problem that the binding processing is performed on the recording paper on which the images are recorded in various sizes and the binding cannot be performed on a plurality of recording papers. it can.

The above is the output processing method of the received image in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, an image received in the facsimile mode is described as being output in a unified output form. However, the same processing is performed for image information input or read in the printer mode and the copy mode. It is also possible to perform processing and output processing.

Further, in the above description, it is presumed that some methods for unifying the image output form have been clarified, but will be described in more detail.

First, the simplest method is an image magnification conversion process. In this method, a magnification for final magnification conversion is determined by comparing the size of a reference image with the size of an image to be processed. At this time, for example, A3 size or B4 size image
A4 size or B5 size image, or A4 size or B5 size image to A3 size or B4 size
When performing a magnification conversion to an image of a size, it is better to perform a magnification conversion process on the original image and to perform a rotation process for changing the orientation of the image by 90 degrees, so that the discharge states from the digital copier 30 are all aligned in the same direction. is there.

In consideration of this point, it is also possible to confirm the orientation information of the image serving as a reference and rotate the image if necessary.

In some cases, the size of the image to be processed is smaller than the size of the reference image. In such a case, the image is not subjected to image scaling such as enlargement, and is printed on a recording sheet of the size of the reference image. Recording reproduction can be controlled so that the image to be processed is reproduced at substantially the center of the recording paper in the same size. This is so-called centering.

Conversely, the size of the image to be processed may be larger than the size of the reference image. In such a case, the size of the recording paper of the size of the reference image is reduced without performing image scaling such as reduction. It is possible to control the recording reproduction so that the image to be processed is divided into a plurality of parts and reproduced on a plurality of recording papers. This is a so-called split output.

Further, in order to reproduce a plurality of images on one sheet of recording paper, it is possible to perform a reduction image scaling process on the plurality of images and to record a plurality of images aligned on one sheet of recording paper. It is. This is a so-called multi-shot.

In some cases, a copying system is equipped with a device that performs post-processing such as paper folding on a recording sheet on which an image is recorded, and changes the size of the recording sheet as a result. If such a device is installed, A
It is possible to change the size of the recording paper to A4 or B5 by performing a paper folding process such as Z-folding or bag folding such as bag binding on recording paper of 3 or B4 size.

As described above, in the digital copying machine 30 of the present embodiment, the multi-value image processing unit 402
Then, features other than the image size are extracted from the image read by or the image received by the facsimile board 603.

Next, according to the characteristics excluding the image size of the image extracted by the multi-value image processing unit 402, the CPU
Reference numeral 401 unifies the output size of the image output from the laser printer unit 32.

As a result, features other than the image size of the input image are extracted, and all the images are output in a unified output size. Even if it is composed of groups,
When output, the output form of all images is unified.
As a result, an output that is easy to handle can be obtained.

Here, in the present embodiment, when unifying the output size of an image, the multi-valued image processing unit 402 removes the image size from the input image, for example, when the image is a halftone image such as a photograph. Features other than image size, such as the presence of a character, a line diagram, or the image quality such as resolution, are extracted and unified based on the extracted features.

That is, in the case of a character or a diagram, even if a scaling process such as enlargement or reduction is performed, the visibility is not so different from the viewpoint of image quality. It may be worse. Further, when an image having a low resolution is enlarged, the poor image quality becomes more noticeable.

Therefore, by judging what the features of these images are and then outputting the output sizes of the images in a unified manner, it is possible to obtain an output image group in which each image is easy to see.

As a result, when the input image group is recorded and reproduced on a recording material and output, a reference image is determined based on the characteristics excluding the size of the input image information. By unifying and outputting the output size of the image information, the digital copying machine 30 capable of reproducing and recording on the recording material as much as possible without deteriorating the characteristics of the image of each image, and as a result, outputting a unified and easy-to-view image. Can be provided.

Also, in the present embodiment, the CPU 401
Determines the reference image based on the features excluding the image size of the image extracted by the multi-value image processing unit 402, while the finisher 34, the multi-value image processing unit 402, and the binary image processing unit 501 determine The output size of another image is changed so as to match the output size of the reference image.

Accordingly, it is possible to output an image with the original size of the input image as much as possible. Moreover, all sizes of the recorded matter on which the image is recorded are unified, and the recorded matter can be output in an organized form on the discharge tray.

As a result, the output size can be surely unified and output as one image group in a form utilizing the features of the image without damaging the features of the input image.

Also, in the present embodiment, the CPU 401
Unifies the output size based on a halftone image as a feature of the image.

For this reason, when the input image consists of or includes a halftone image, the output size is unified by giving priority to the halftone image. As a result, it is possible to prevent a halftone image, which is difficult to scale, from being easily enlarged or reduced, and to output the image uniformly without impairing the image quality.

Also, in the present embodiment, the CPU 401
Unifies the output size based on the resolution information as a feature of the image.

Therefore, the output size can be unified and output without deteriorating the image quality of the input image.

In this embodiment, the multi-value image processing unit 402 and the binary image processing unit 501 change the output size by dividing one image into a plurality of recording papers.

As a result, if the input image is A3 size or B4 size
In the case of a large size such as a size, for example, it is possible to divide into two such as A4 size or B5 size and output them unifiedly, so that all output sizes are unified as recording paper on which images are recorded. And can be arranged on a tray.

Further, since the image is not reduced, the image quality and the visibility of the image are not impaired.

In the present embodiment, the finisher 3
Reference numeral 4 changes the output size by folding the recording paper.

As a result, for example, when the input image has a large size such as A3 size or B4 size, the input image is subjected to paper folding processing to A4 size or B5 size or the like, and is unified output.

For this reason, it is possible to output an image with the original size of the input image as much as possible and without any modification.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 401 serving as the reference image determining means includes the facsimile board 603
The image of the first page of the received image is determined as the reference image.

Therefore, it is possible to faithfully output and reproduce an image having a high possibility that a cover letter serving as a point of a transmission original exists as the transmitted image.

Further, in the present embodiment, the CPU 401 as the reference image determining means includes the facsimile board 603
An image having an image size located in the middle of the image sizes received in is determined as a reference image.

For this reason, if the size located in the middle of the received image size is, for example, B5, A4, or B4, A4
Since the output is unified to the size, it is possible to reproduce and output the entire image in an easy-to-view form even when viewed through the whole of the received image.

Further, in the present embodiment, the CPU 401 as the reference image determining means includes the facsimile board 603
An image which can be output without performing any processing as much as possible among the images received at is determined as a reference image.

Therefore, the deterioration of the image quality due to the image processing is reduced, and the number of times of the image processing performed for each image is also reduced, so that the time required for the output processing is reduced to complete the output. be able to.

In this embodiment, when determining the image size based on the resolution information of the image, the CPU 401 as the reference image determining means determines the image with the highest resolution among the images as the reference image.

[0206] Therefore, the output size of one image group can be unified and output without deteriorating the features of the original image.

Further, in the present embodiment, a facsimile board 603 is provided, and a management table 603c for storing and managing the characteristic information of the image notified from the transmitting side in the communication procedure together with the received image is provided. The CPU 401 determines the reference image based on the feature information stored and managed in the management table 603c.

[0208] For this reason, in the image received via the facsimile board 603, information such as the resolution confirmed in units of one image on the communication protocol is managed together with the image, and the received image originally has the image. The output size of one image group can be unified and output without deteriorating the features of the image.

In the present embodiment, the first cassette 5
CPU 2 as a recording material size confirming means for confirming the size of recording paper stored in the first or second cassette 52 or the like
The CPU 401 unifies the received image size based on the recording paper size information and the characteristic information of the image extracted by the multi-value image processing unit 402.

For this reason, after confirming the recording paper size that can be recorded by the digital copying machine 30, the image is determined to be output in a uniform size, so that the output of the image is reliably received without stagnation. It is possible to output an image.

In this embodiment, if there is no recording paper corresponding to the size determined by the CPU 401 in the recording paper size information confirmed by the CPU 201 as the recording material size confirmation means, the CPU 401 Determines a uniform size based on the size information of the input image.

For this reason, when determining to output an image in a unified size based on the recording paper size that can be recorded by the apparatus and the characteristics of the input image, the characteristics of the input image are prioritized, thus impairing the characteristics of the image. Thus, the received image can be output without fail and without stagnating the output of the image.

Further, in this embodiment, the CPU 401 is provided as a recording material remaining amount checking means for checking the remaining amount of recording paper on which an image is recorded and reproduced. The received image size is unified based on the characteristic information of the received image.

For this reason, the remaining printable paper size is checked, the outputable size is determined, and the output is unified. Therefore, the paper is exhausted during the image output and the output of the image is stagnated. It is possible to output the received image without fail.

Further, in the present embodiment, the CPU 2 serving as a recording material supply state confirming means for confirming a state in which it is impossible to continuously supply recording paper on which an image is recorded and reproduced.
01 when the input image size is being processed to unify the size of the input image.
When the PU 201 confirms that it is impossible to supply the recording paper in a unified manner, the output size of the image is determined again and output.

For this reason, when the recording paper runs out while outputting the received image in a predetermined size, the output is unified to another recording paper size, and the output of the image is not stagnated. Thus, it is possible to reliably output the received image.

In this embodiment, a finisher 34 is provided as a recording material binding processing means for performing a binding process, that is, a stapling process, on a bundle of recording sheets on which images are recorded. Is performed, the output size is always unified.

For this reason, when the binding processing mode for the recording paper such as staples is selected, the size of the recording paper for outputting the image is unified, so that the binding is performed on the recording paper on which the image is recorded in various sizes. It is possible to prevent in advance that the processing is performed and as a result, a plurality of recording papers cannot be bound.

In this embodiment, the multi-value image processing section 402 and the binary image processing section 501 perform image scaling processing on an image.

[0220] Therefore, even if the image is reduced or enlarged, it is possible to output the same output size together with the reference image without deteriorating the features of the image.

In the present embodiment, image scaling processing is performed on an image, and the direction of the image is rotated.

For this reason, in order to unify the output size of the input image, the image is scaled and rotated, so that even if the image is reduced or enlarged, the characteristics of the image are not impaired and the magnification of the image is maintained. With respect to the conveyance direction of the recording paper generated by the conversion, it is possible to unify and output the same output size together with the reference image, and in the present embodiment, the image is placed at the center of the recording paper on which the image is recorded. Record so that the centers match.

For this reason, image centering processing is performed to unify the output size of the input image, so that the characteristics of the image are not impaired, and the output image is the same as the reference image in an easy-to-view form. It is possible to output the output in a unified manner.

Further, the present embodiment is provided with a multi-valued image processing unit 402 and a binary image processing unit 501 which are image recognition means for recognizing whether or not the image has gradation.
If the image whose output size is to be changed is an image having a gradation, the image is recorded without performing the image scaling process so that the center of the image coincides with the approximate center of the recording paper on which the image is recorded.

For this reason, when the image is an image having a gradation, such as a halftone image, the centering process is performed without performing the scaling process. Can be unified and output with the same output size together with the reference image without damaging the features of the image.

In this embodiment, a process for recording a plurality of images on recording paper is performed.

For this reason, in order to unify the output size of the input image, the images are collectively output by multi-shot processing, so that the characteristics of the image are not lost.
Further, it is possible to output the same output size together with the reference image in a form in which the number of output recording sheets is also reduced.

In this embodiment, one image is divided into a plurality of recording papers and recorded.

For this reason, the image is divided in order to unify the output size of the input image, so that the characteristics of the image processed to unify the size of the reference image can be maintained without deteriorating the characteristics of the image. And the same output size can be output together with the resulting image.

[Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. For the sake of convenience, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In this embodiment, a method for storing and managing a received image will be described.

As described with reference to FIG. 3, the document image information read and input from the scanner unit 31, the transmission document image sent from the external facsimile apparatus via the facsimile board 603, and the printer board The image data and the like sent from an external personal computer or the like via the 601 are subjected to predetermined image processing, respectively, and then are stored in the image of the semiconductor memory of the memory gate array (memory G / A) 502 or the hard disk (HD). It is stored and managed in the memory.

At this time, the image information stored in the image memory is stored and managed in a state where the image form when input or transmitted is maintained. For this reason, when an image as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C is sent, the image is temporarily stored and managed in the image memory as it is.

Then, based on the above-mentioned confirmation criterion, the characteristics of the image are determined to determine the reference image, and the remaining images are formed in the same image form as the determined image. Perform change processing.

At this time, information on other images, such as information on the image whose image form has been changed, is collectively managed by the image management table 506 shown in FIG. It should be noted that a flag “1” indicating this is set for an image output in a form in which the form of the image has been changed.
Then, the image on which the image has been recorded in the form in which it was sent is cleared from the image memory.

Here, as a criterion for clearing the image from the image memory, only the image whose form has been changed is stored and managed, and the other images are cleared. However, it is not necessarily limited to this,
There is also a processing method for storing and managing an entire image group including an image whose image form has been changed.

An image output in a state where the form of the image has been changed is added with information indicating that fact. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, this information may be a mark that simply informs that the form of the image has been changed, or by adding address information managed in the memory. Is also good. Then, it is possible to efficiently instruct reading from the image memory based on the address information.

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
An image stored and managed in the image memory is displayed on the touch panel 104 as an image whose shape has been changed, the image is selected by the up / down keys 104a and 104b, and an instruction is given by the output key 104c. The image output according to the output instruction is deleted from the image memory.

As described above, in the digital copying machine 30 of the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the digital copying machine 30 of the first embodiment, the image management table 506 as the image storage management means is provided, and the output size is reduced. The changed image is stored and managed together with the image before the change.

Therefore, even if the user wants an image in an input state after confirming the recorded matter output in a form in which the output size is adjusted, the image can be read out from the image management table 506 and output.

In this embodiment, an image output in perfect form without changing the size of the image received by the facsimile board 603 is deleted without being stored and managed in the image management table 506. On the other hand, when an image output after changing the size of the received image is included, at least the image whose size has been changed is stored and managed in the image management table 506.

For this reason, while images that need to be stored in the memory are securely stored and managed, images that need to be stored in the memory can be efficiently cleared from the memory. The memory for storing and managing images can be effectively used.

Therefore, even when a new image is received, output processing can be performed efficiently. Further, the image output in the form in which the size has been changed can be output in the original state.

In the present embodiment, the image is stored and managed in the image management table 506 in the size as received by the facsimile board 603.

For this reason, since the image whose output size has been changed is stored and managed in the memory in the size at the time of input, the image to be output in the state when it was received when the output was confirmed is included. In this case, it is also possible to easily output.

In the present embodiment, an image output after changing the size of the image is added with specific information indicating the change and output.

For this reason, the image obtained by changing the size of the received image is output with a mark indicating the change, so that the size of the received image is different from the size of the image sent when checking the output recorded matter. Can easily identify that the image is output.

Also, in the present embodiment, the image management table 50
6 can be output.

For this reason, at least the image whose size has been changed is stored and managed in the memory, and a storage management code or the like is added when the image is output.
When the output recorded matter is confirmed, it can be easily identified that the image is output in a size different from the size sent when it is sent. Further, it is possible to easily confirm where in the memory the storage is managed.

In the present embodiment, based on the additional information output together with the image whose size has been changed and output,
Up / down keys 104a and 104b serving as reception image output instruction means for instructing an output to output an image stored and managed in the image management table 506 at the size when received.
And an output key 104c.

For this reason, at least the image whose image size has been changed is stored and managed in the memory, and when the image is output, a storage management code or the like is added and output, and then the image received based on this additional information is output. The output instruction can be given in the form of, so that when the output recorded matter is confirmed, it can be easily identified that the image is output in a size different from the size when sent. Further, it is possible to easily confirm where the memory is stored and managed, and to easily instruct reading from the memory based on the confirmed information.

In the present embodiment, the images stored and managed in the image management table 506 correspond to the up / down key 1
At the stage when an image is output by an output instruction using the output keys 104a and 104b and the output key 104c, the image management table 50 is displayed.
6 is erased.

For this reason, images that are stored and managed as having their output size changed are cleared when they are output according to the output instruction, so that images that need to be stored in the memory are securely stored and managed. On the other hand, it is possible to efficiently clear from the memory the images that have become less necessary to be stored in the memory, and the memory for storing and managing the images can be effectively used.

Accordingly, even when a new image is received, it is possible to perform output processing efficiently.

[0255]

As described above, the image output processing device according to the first aspect of the present invention extracts features excluding the image size from the image read by the scanner means or the image received by the image receiving means. An image feature extraction unit for performing, and an output form unification unit that unifies the output size of the image output from the image output unit according to a feature excluding the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extraction unit. It is provided with.

Therefore, when unifying the output size of an image, the image feature extracting means excludes the image size from the input image, for example, whether the image is a halftone image such as a photograph,
Features other than the image size, such as characters or diagrams, or the image quality such as resolution, are extracted and unified based on the extracted features.

That is, in the case of a character or a diagram, even if a scaling process such as enlargement or reduction is performed, the visibility is not significantly changed from the viewpoint of image quality. It may be worse. Further, when an image having a low resolution is enlarged, the poor image quality becomes more noticeable.

Therefore, by judging what the characteristics of these images are and then outputting the images in unified output size, it is possible to obtain an output image group in which each image is easy to see.

As a result, when the input image group is recorded and reproduced on a recording material and output, an image to be used as a reference is determined based on the characteristics excluding the size of the input image information. An image output processing device that unifies and outputs to the output size of image information, reproduces as much as possible on a recording material without impairing the characteristics of the image for each image, and can output a unified and easy-to-view image as a result. This has the effect that it can be provided.

[0260] According to the image output processing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, as described above, in the image output processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the output form unifying means includes an image extracted by the image feature extracting means. A reference image determining means for determining an image serving as a reference based on a feature excluding the image size of the image, and an output size of another image so as to match the output size of the reference image determined by the reference image determining means. And a form changing means for changing

Therefore, the output size is unified as one image group by utilizing the features of the image without deteriorating the features of the input image by the reference image determining means and the form changing means. This has the effect of being able to output.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, as described above, in the image output processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the output form unifying means uses a halftone image as a feature of the image. The output size is unified.

Therefore, when the input image is composed of or includes a halftone image, the output size is unified by giving priority to the halftone image. As a result, it is possible to prevent a halftone image, which is difficult to scale, from being easily enlarged or reduced, and to output unified images without deteriorating the image quality.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as described above, in the image output processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the output mode unifying means is configured to output the image data based on the resolution information as a feature of the image. This is to unify the output size.

Therefore, there is an effect that the output size can be unified and output without deteriorating the image quality of the input image.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image output processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the form changing means divides one image into a plurality of recording materials. Is used to change the output size.

Therefore, if the input image is A3 size or B4
In the case of a large size such as a size, for example, it is possible to divide into two and output unifiedly, such as A4 size or B5 size, so that all output sizes are unified as a recording material on which an image is recorded. This has the effect of being able to be arranged on the tray.

Further, since the image is not reduced, there is an effect that the image quality and the visibility of the image are not impaired.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, as described above, in the image output processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the form changing means performs paper folding on the recording material to thereby obtain an output size. Is to change.

Therefore, it is possible to output an image in the original size of the input image as much as possible without any modification.

The image output processing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is for extracting features other than the image size from the image read by the scanner means or the image received by the image receiving means. And an output form unifying means for unifying the output size of the image output from the image output means in accordance with the feature excluding the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extracting means. And the output form unifying means includes a reference image determining means for determining a reference image based on a feature excluding the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extracting means, and a reference image determining means. An image changing unit that changes the output size of another image so as to match the output size of the determined reference image, , In which the image storage managing means for storing and managing with the pre-change image is provided.

Therefore, the image storage management means stores and manages the image whose output size has been changed by the form changing means together with the image before the change.

For this reason, after confirming the recorded matter output in a form in which the output size is adjusted, even if an image is desired in the state at the time of input, the image can be read out from the image storage management means and output. It works.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing an embodiment of a digital copying machine according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 1A shows a case where an image is reduced and integrated, FIG. ) Is a case where images are folded and unified.

FIG. 2 is an overall structural view showing the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an image processing unit in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an operation panel in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a document group sent to the digital copying machine.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing details of the document group, and FIG.
Represents a first document group, (b) represents a second document group, and (c) represents a third document group.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the resolution of the document group.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the document group is enlarged, reduced, or centered and output unified.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the group of originals is enlarged or centered and unified output.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication procedure in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an image management table in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state in which an image form is changed and an image is output with added image management information in the LCD touch panel of the digital copying machine; Is A3 in document group 1-3
(B) indicates that the B5 size is centered in the document group 3-2 and printed on A4 size recording paper.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display state when an image in an image management table is read and instructed on the LCD touch panel of the digital copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 30 digital copier (image output processing device) 31 scanner unit (scanner unit) 32 laser printer unit (image output unit) 34 finisher (form change unit) 400 main image processing board 401 CPU (output form unification unit, reference image determination unit) ) 402 Multi-valued image processing unit (image feature extracting unit, form changing unit) 500 Sub image processing board 501 Binary image processing unit (form changing unit) 603 Facsimile board (image receiving unit)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Naka ▲ Hama ▼ Koji 22-22, Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Claims (7)

[Claims] An image output processing device having an image output means for outputting an image read by a scanner means or an image sent from an external device and received by an image receiving means, wherein said scanner means An image feature extraction unit for extracting a feature excluding the image size from the read image or the image received by the image reception unit; and a feature excluding the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extraction unit. An image output processing device, comprising: output mode unifying means for unifying the output size of an image output from the image output means. 2. An output form unifying means, comprising: a reference image determining means for determining a reference image based on a characteristic excluding an image size of an image extracted by the image characteristic extracting means; 2. The image output processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a form changing unit that changes an output size of another image so as to match an output size of the reference image determined by the unit. 3. An image output processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output mode unifying means unifies the output size based on a halftone image as a feature of the image. 4. The image output processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output form unifying means unifies the output size based on resolution information as a feature of the image. 5. The image output processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said form changing means changes an output size by dividing one image into a plurality of recording materials. 6. An image output processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said form changing means changes the output size by folding the recording material. 7. An image output processing apparatus provided with an image output means for outputting an image read by a scanner means or an image sent from an external device and received by an image receiving means. An image feature extraction unit for extracting a feature excluding the image size from the read image or the image received by the image reception unit; and a feature excluding the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extraction unit. Output form unifying means for unifying the output size of the image output from the image output means, and the output form unifying means excludes the image size of the image extracted by the image feature extracting means. Based on features,
A reference image determining unit for determining an image serving as a reference; and a form changing unit configured to change an output size of another image so as to match an output size of the reference image determined by the reference image determining unit. An image output processing apparatus, comprising: an image storage management unit that stores and manages an image whose output size has been changed by the configuration changing unit together with an image before the change.