JPH11308439A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prepare the area data of a complicated graphic while reducing a memory capacity and accelerating a processing speed. SOLUTION: In this image processor, an original is read by a scanner 101, the binarization processing of the image data of the read original is performed, data after the binarization processing are written in a memory 505 and a closed loop in the read original is specified. The contour of the specified closed loop is contour line tracked by the data of the memory 505, the contour line tracked contour is written in the memory 504 and the memory 506 as the area data and area signals are generated from the memory 504 and the memory 506 by an area signal generation part 209.

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, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus for designating an arbitrary area in a digital copying machine or the like and performing image processing on the designated area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus generally performs image processing on an arbitrary area of a read document. However, a memory for storing area data for performing this image processing is read. Determined by image, resolution and number of areas.

[0003]

However, according to the above-described conventional image processing apparatus, there is a problem that the memory capacity increases when the read original has a high resolution, and the processing speed decreases when the memory capacity increases. Further, there is a method of storing information of only vertices as area information in order to reduce the memory capacity. However, there is a problem that area data of a complicated figure cannot be created.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of creating complicated graphic area data while reducing the memory capacity and improving the processing speed.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a document reading means for reading a predetermined document,
Document display means for displaying the read document image, area designation means for designating an arbitrary area of the displayed document image,
Image processing means for performing image processing on a specified area; first storage and holding means for storing and holding area data for distinguishing image data in the specified area; Second storage and holding means for storing and holding the processed binarized data; and an arbitrary closed-loop contour is tracked by the binary data held by the second storage and holding means. 3rd to memorize and hold
And an image processing apparatus for generating an area signal from the area data held in the first storage holding means and the third storage holding means.

In the above configuration, it is preferable that the first storage unit generates the area signal from the edge data of the area in the main scanning direction, and the third storage unit stores all the data written in the area. It is desirable to generate the area signal from the data of the above.

[0007]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This image processing apparatus converts an image of a document into R, G, B
A scanner 101 for reading as digital data, an image processing unit 102 for performing processing and the like on image data read by the scanner 101, and an operation unit 103 for instructing the image processing unit 102 to perform procedures such as processing of image data
A display / coordinate instructing unit 104 for displaying an image data, a result of processing, and the like, and instructing an area for performing a processing on a specific area, and processing the image data in the image processing unit 102. A storage unit 105 for storing area data to be applied, and a CPU 10 for controlling the entire apparatus.
6, a ROM 107 for storing parameters for controlling by the CPU 106, a control procedure, and the like, and a printer 108 for outputting a processing result.

FIG. 2 shows an image processing unit 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a detailed explanatory diagram of FIG. 2, the broken line portion in FIG. 2 corresponds to the image processing unit 102 in FIG. In this embodiment, three types of signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) are inputted, and Y (yellow), M
An example of a configuration in which four types of signals (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are recorded and output on transfer paper by the printer 108 will be described.

The image processing unit 102 includes R, G, B
A scaling unit 201 for independently performing main scanning scaling, and R, G, B
Γ correction unit 2 that performs γ correction such as gray balance
02 and R, in order to correct blurring of the lens system, etc.
An RGB filter 203 for MTF correction (sharpening) independently for G and B, and a mirror, italic, shadowing, hollow, paint,
A create unit 204 that performs image processing such as movement, and a linear masking equation that converts R, G, B to Y, M, C,
A color correction unit 205 that converts a data system into K, and CMYK that performs film processing according to the MTF of the printer 108
A filter 206, a CMYK γ correction unit 207 for performing γ correction in accordance with the γ characteristic of the printer, and performing C, M, Y, K by C ′, M ′, Y ′, K '(however, the number of bits is C>
C ′, M> M ′, Y> Y ′, K> K ′), and an area signal generator 209 which generates a signal for switching processing for each area.

The connection of each process of the image processing unit 102 includes a scaling unit 201, an RGB γ correction unit 202, an RGB filter 203, a create unit 204, a color correction unit 205,
The MYK filter 206, the CMYK γ correction unit 207, and the gradation processing unit 208 are connected in this order.

In the figure, only the connection with the area signal generator 209 is shown in order to explain the portion related to the area signal.

The area signal generator 209 includes a scaling unit 201,
The storage unit 105 is connected to the CPU 107. The area signal generation unit 209 causes the scaling unit 201 to generate an area signal in synchronization with the image data from the scanner 101. For the CPU 107, the display / coordinate indicating unit 10
The control for writing the data of the area designated by the step 4 is performed, and the area data is stored in the storage unit 105.

The switching of the processing based on the area signal can be arbitrarily defined as, for example, a normal processing is performed when the area signal is No. 0, a mirror is processed when the area signal is No. 1, and an inversion is performed when the area signal is No. 2.

The memory 210 is a bitmap memory for storing area information for performing image processing on a specific area of a document image. A part of the memory of the memory 210 is used to reflect the result of the area processing on the display / coordinate instruction unit 104. The area information has n bits of information for one dot of the document image. The n-bit information amount is a value that allows the regions to be distinguished when a plurality of specific regions perform respective processes. That is, a value of 2 n is a distinguishable value. When the eight types of processing are distinguished, the area data from 0 to 7 can be represented by 2 to the third power (3 bits). The more processing areas to be distinguished, the more memory capacity is required. For example, a memory capacity of 32 × 3 Mbit is required to perform processing of a document image size of A3 (297 mm × 420 mm), a density of 16 pixels / mm, and a designated area of eight types.

Next, a case where a region signal is generated will be described. There are two processes for generating an area signal. One is for generating area data from only data in the edge of the area in the main scanning direction, and the other is for processing the entire area as data. Is generated as it is.

First, the case where the area data is generated from the data of only the edge in the main scanning direction of the area will be described. Original image data from the scanner 101 is displayed on the display / coordinate instruction unit 104. When processing is performed on an arbitrary range of the original image data, the display / coordinate indicating unit 1
From 04, the area is designated as shown in FIG. Here, in order to perform various types of image processing on the designated area 302 and outside area 301, it is necessary to generate an area signal for discrimination. For this reason, different numbers are written in the bitmap memory for the designated area 302 between the inside area 302 and the outside area 301 and stored. As a storage method, as shown in FIG. 3B, the edge 303 in the main scanning direction of the area is used.
Only in the memory, and 30
2 and a signal for distinguishing the area 301 from the outside.

For example, when data having information of "1" as an area is stored in the bit map memory, the data shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4A, only the edge 303 of the area 302 in the main scanning direction is stored as area data (see FIG. 4).
Indicates a part of the specified area). here,
One lattice corresponds to one dot, and has a capacity to distinguish regions. Although not shown in the figure, blanks are "0" data. The stored area data is sequentially read out in the main scanning direction at the time of processing, and after one line has been read, the data is shifted by one in the sub-scanning direction and read out sequentially in the main scanning direction.

As described above, when the read data is other than "0", the data is area data, and the area number represented by the area data is changed. That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the area signal is Hi, it is changed to Low,
When it is Low, it is changed to Hi. Thus, a signal is generated for each area number. Here, outside the area is “0”. However, this process is not performed on the “0” data.

Next, description will be made on a case where a data in which the entire area is written as data is generated as it is.
As described above, as a memory for generating an area signal, there is a memory that converts the edge data into area data and outputs the data, and outputs the data written in the entire area as it is. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the memory. In the figure, a CPU 501 performs control for writing area data and overall control.
2 is a scanner. The area signal generation unit 503 generates an area signal and controls the memories 504, 505, and 506.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing until the area data is written to the memory. Here, as an example, a case where a closed loop process is performed with a rectangular area will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step 601, an area process is selected from a menu for selecting a processing process. In step 602, a region designation method is selected, and it is determined whether the designation method is a closed loop process. Examples of the area designating method include two diagonal points, a right polygon, a rectangle, and a closed loop. From these, it is determined whether the operator has selected the closed loop processing. If you select the area specification method,
The document image data is displayed on a display unit (not shown).

If a process other than the closed loop process is selected in step 602 (determination of NO), in step 603, the operator designates a region to be processed from the image data displayed on the display unit (not shown). Thus, the designated area is stored in the memory 506. Since the area is a rectangle or a right-angled polygon, the resolution is 100 dpi.
About 100 dpi is sufficient. Therefore, the memory 50
6, the size is A3, the resolution is 100 × 100 dpi,
512 when the number of areas to be distinguished is 16 areas (4 bits)
KB capacity. Then, in step 604,
The area data is written into the memory 506 in a form in which the area is filled. The area data written in the memory 506 is reflected on the display unit, and the processing result can be confirmed. As a result, the same result can be obtained for the processing result of the area data and the display on the display unit (not shown).

On the other hand, when the closed loop processing is selected in step 602 (determination of YES), in step 605, the original is read by the scanner 502. Then, in step 606, the image data of the document read in step 605 is binarized. In step 607, the data after the binarization processing is written to the memory 505,
In step 608, the operator specifies a closed loop in the read original. In step 609,
The contour of the designated closed loop is traced by using the data in the memory 505. In step 610, the contour traced by the contour is written to the memories 504 and 506 as area data.

A closed loop of a document includes a curve and is conspicuous when the resolution is low. In order to avoid this, the memory 505 for storing binarized data as high-resolution data and the memory 504 for storing area data of the closed-loop area are A3
Each requires a capacity of 2 MB as a resolution of 400 × 200 dpi.

As described above, the memory 5 storing the area data
An area signal is generated by the area signal generator 503 from the memory 04 and the memory 506. The generated area signal is processed by a circuit as shown in FIG. A decoder 701 shown in FIG. 7 reads out and decodes data stored in the memory 506. For example, when one dot has an information amount of 4 bits, 16 signals are connected to the subsequent stage as signals of 0 to 15. The data conversion unit 702 reads the data in the memory 504 and sets a specific data number 71 set in advance.
The data is converted to 0, and is processed by the code conversion unit 706 so as to convert the edge data into the area data.

The AND circuit 704 controls each of the memories 50
4. The result of ANDing the signal lines having the same number of the data converted and decoded signals from the memory 506 is input to the priority determining unit 707 as closed loop data. AN
The AND processing of the D circuit 704 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8A shows a state 801 of the area data stored in the memory 506, which is a closed loop part (A) and other areas (B). The area data is written in the grid portion where the screen is shaded. The white grid has no area data. Similarly, 802 is a memory 504
Is the state of the area data stored in the area, and is a closed loop part. As shown in FIG. 8B, a signal is generated from the memory 506 as shown at 804 and a signal is generated from the memory 504 as shown at 805 for the area data at the position 803. In step 805, an area signal is generated from the area data of only the edge as described above, and a signal 806 is generated. The result of AND 703 between 804 and 806 is a signal like 807. This is input to the priority determination unit 706, and a region signal is generated according to the priority.

On the other hand, the data from the memory 506 has a specific data number
The signal is decoded at step 03, and is inverted and ANDed by an AND circuit 705, and is input to a priority determination unit 707. In the decoder 703, the area data is 4 bits (16 bits).
Type), it is decoded into 16 signals. The signals from these memories 504 and 506 are input to the priority determination unit 707 as area signals, and become area data signals in accordance with a preset priority. As a result, FIG.
Area data 808 as shown in (c) is obtained.

[0029]

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the memory holding the area data is selectively used as the low-resolution memory and the high-resolution memory in accordance with the shape of the area data. Therefore, the processing speed can be improved while reducing the memory capacity, and the creation of complicated graphic area data becomes easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overall configuration.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a detailed block of an image processing unit.

FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of area designation, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of area data.

4A is an explanatory diagram of a state of area data written in a bit map, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory view of generation of an area signal.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a memory configuration.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing until writing area data in a memory.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an area data generation circuit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining processing of area data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 scanner 102 image processing unit 103 operation unit 104 display / coordinate instruction unit 105 storage unit 106 CPU 107 ROM 108 printer 201 scaling unit 202 RGBγ correction unit 203 RGB filter 204 create unit 205 color correction unit 206 CMYK filter 207 CMYKγ correction unit 208 gradation processing section 209 area signal generation section 210 memory 211 CPU 301 outside area 302 inside area 303 area data 501 CPU 502 scanner 503 area signal generation section 504, 505, 506 memory 701 decoder 702 data conversion section 703 decoder 704 signal of closed loop 705 AND circuit for signals other than the closed loop 706 Code conversion unit 707 Priority determination unit 801 Data holding state of memory 3 802 Data of memory 1 Data holding state 804, 805 Data from memory 806 Output of edge signal area signal conversion 807 Area signal obtained by combining data from two memories 808 Result

Claims (3)

[Claims] An original reading unit that reads a predetermined original; an original displaying unit that displays the read original image; an area specifying unit that specifies an arbitrary area of the displayed original image; Image processing means for performing image processing on the selected area; first storage and holding means for storing and holding area data for distinguishing image data in the specified area; binarizing the document image A second storage unit for storing and holding the processed binarized data; and an arbitrary closed-loop outline is tracked by the binarized data held in the second storage unit. And a third storage unit for storing and holding as area data, and generating an area signal from the area data stored in the first storage unit and the third storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit generates the area signal from edge data of the area in the main scanning direction. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third storage unit generates the area signal from all data written in the area.