JPS63211972A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To optionally synthesize characters on an original picture with a simple constitution by setting the picture density of character picture information independently of the original picture when the original picture information and the character picture information are synthesized. CONSTITUTION:A CPU sets the number of main scanning characters to a latch 428, whereby an add-on RAM205 is read to decide the sequence. Resolution corresponding to a character size is set to a latch 429, and the density of picture information corresponding to '1' which an add-on density latch 422 has read from the RAM205 is set. '1' is set to a mode latch 436 when a system is a compulsory output mode, and '0' in the case of an overlay mode. In the case of the former, mode, the density of picture information corresponding to '0' which has been read from the RAM25 can be set in a designation density latch 423, and the information is selected in a selector 536. In the case of the latter mode, original picture information inputted through a signal line 435 is selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an image processing device that processes image information.

[Prior art]

A digital copying machine has been proposed that reads an original image and prints an image corresponding to the original image.

In such a device, if you want to combine and print other data with the original image, you can write that data on the original image in advance, or feed the paper on which the original image is recorded to the printer unit again. This requires operations such as overlapping recording with other data.

Further, in order to synthesize a standard format with a document image, processing is performed in which format data stored in advance in a memory is read in synchronization with reading the document image and is synthesized with the read document image data.

However, it is difficult to output characters such as arbitrary letters and symbols in arbitrary density, arbitrary position, and arbitrary size, and requires a large-scale device such as a workstation.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing device that has a simple configuration and is capable of arbitrarily synthesizing characters such as letters and symbols on a document image.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be explained below based on preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied;
1 is an editor used for point input and mode settings; 32 is a touch pen for inputting points on the editor 31; 33 is an operation unit for setting various modes; 34 is a league for reading the manuscript; 35 is a reader 34. This is a printer that outputs the image read by the printer.

Figure 2 shows the structure of the league printer. The document is placed face down on document table glass 3, and is pressed onto the glass by document cover 4. The document is illuminated by a fluorescent lamp 2, and the reflected light is focused onto the surface of the CCDI via a mirror 5.7 and a lens 6.

Mirror 7 and mirror 5 move at a relative speed of 2:l. These optical systems are reciprocated (from left to right) by a DC servo motor 26 while applying PLL at a speed corresponding to the reading magnification.
do.

The backward movement (from right to left) is performed at a constant speed regardless of the magnification. The maximum document size that can be processed is A3, and the resolution is 400.
Since it is dots/1nch, it is about 5000 as CCD1.
Use bits.

In this manner, while moving the mirror 5.7 to move the document reading position, the document image is sequentially line-scanned by the CCDI to obtain an image signal indicating the density of the image.

The image signal processed bit-serially by the reader is sent to the laser scanning optical system unit 2 of a so-called laser beam printer.
5 is input. This unit 25 consists of a semiconductor laser collimator lens, a rotating polygon mirror Fθ lens, and a tilt correction optical system.

The image signal from the reader is applied to a semiconductor laser for electro-optical conversion, and is irradiated via a collimator lens to a polyhedral mirror that rotates at high speed, and the reflected light is incident on the photoreceptor 8 and scanned. A pre-static eliminator 9 and a pre-static eliminator lamp 1O1 are used as process components that enable image formation on the photoreceptor 8.
- Secondary charger 11゜Secondary charger 12) Front exposure lamp 13
, developing device 14, paper feed cassette 15, paper feed roller 16, paper feed guide 17, registration roller 18, transfer charger 19,
Separation roller 20, conveyance guide 21. A fixing device 22) tray 23 is arranged. A photosensor (not shown) for detecting the scanned laser beam is provided outside the photoreceptor 8, and a horizontal synchronization signal BD indicating the start of each laser scan is obtained from the output of this photosensor.

The copying device in this example has intelligence such as image editing, and its functions include variable magnification in 1% increments in the range of 0.35x to 4.0x, and cropping and cropping to extract only a specified area of the image. There is a moving function that moves the image to any position on the paper.

Figure 3 shows the appearance of the league.

The document reading device includes an operation section 143 and a document table pressure plate 142 having an editor.

This will be explained in order below. The operation unit 143 also displays information about a printer unit (not shown) that is connected to the document reading device and performs image formation based on image information.

A start key 101 instructs to start document reading.

The asterisk key 102 is used for setting the service mode and the like.

The recall key 103 is used to specify a recall mode that can recall the previous copy mode. A reset key 104 is used to return various settings to standard mode. The numeric keypad 105 is used to set the number of sheets.

The clear top key 106 is used to stop the clearing and copying of the number of sheets specified by the numeric keypad. The density keys 107, 108, and 109J specify manual density adjustment and automatic density adjustment (AE) for copying, and the instructions are displayed on the indicator 110.

The photo key 111 is designated when a user wants to make a copy of a photo original. The high contrast key 112 is specified when the user wants to make the contrast (black and white) of the image clear. A negative/positive inversion key 113 inverts the white level and black level of the image.

The number of sheets display section 114 displays the set number of sheets and the remaining number of sheets during the copying operation. An indicator 115 displays the orientation of the document based on the copy magnification and paper size. Indicator 116 displays the paper size. The cassette selection key 117 specifies the paper feed stage of the printer. Magnification change key 118, standard size change key 119, auto size change key 12
1 indicates the magnification of the variable size copy, and indicator 12
2 displays the magnification during standard magnification.

Auto paper selection, key 120, depending on the document size etc.
Used when automatically selecting paper size. The liquid crystal display section 123 is composed of a 240 dot x 64 dot liquid crystal, and is displayed under the control of a microcomputer, which will be described later.

Note that the surface of the liquid crystal display section 123 is covered with a transparent touch panel. This touch panel has a built-in 4×10 matrix of transparent electrode switches, and is configured so that the coordinate values when specified with a finger or the like are taken into a microcomputer so that the specified position can be determined. Both sides/
The multiplex key 124 is used to specify duplex/multiplex operation of the printer. Sort/collate key 125 is used to specify the operation of a sorter connected to the printer. The center movement key 126 is used to move image information to the center of the paper. The document recognition key 127 is used to select whether or not to recognize the document size.

The memory key 128 memorizes various operation modes,
This is a key that can be called all at once.

The document table pressure plate 142 presses the document on a document table (not shown) and has an operation section, which allows various settings of the copy mode and input of characters, numbers, symbols, etc.

The digitizer 139 can import coordinate data on the board indicated by the touch pen 138 into the microcomputer. The coordinate data is recognized as position information and magnification information on the document from the coordinate magnification input surface 141 and character information from the character input surface 143 in combination with the operation mode. In addition, since the magnification information is converted from coordinate values to magnification information by a microcomputer program, it is possible to display the necessary magnification range in bold (in this example, 35% to 1
00% is displayed in bold.

The zoom key 129 is a key for specifying the magnification.
After pressing this key, the user specifies the magnification by pointing the coordinate magnification input surface 141 with the touch pen 138.

The area specification key 130 is a key for specifying an area for image processing. After pressing this key, by specifying a position on the document placed on the coordinate magnification input surface 141 to be processed using the touch pen 13g, Any area can be specified.

The movement key 131 is a key for moving the image, and after pressing this key, the position to be moved is specified on the coordinate magnification input surface 141 with the touch pen 138 or with the touch panel 123.

The page continuous copying key 132 is used when it is desired to output a document in multiple sheets.

The enlarged continuous copying key 133 is used when it is desired to output an enlarged image of a document on multiple sheets of paper.

The mirror image key 136 is used when it is desired to copy an original image by inverting it in the main scanning direction.

The image create key 137 is used when performing various image processing (such as italicized characters).

The character input key 134 inputs characters and numbers into the original image.

This is used to insert and record symbols, etc. After pressing this key, characters and numbers can be entered by pointing the character input surface 143 with the touch pen 138.

Specify the symbol.

The image repeat key 135 is used to repeatedly record the entire document or a trimmed image on the same recording material multiple times.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control section of the copying apparatus shown in FIG. Reference numeral 201 corresponds to a CCD shown in the second diagram, which converts an original image set on the original platen 3 into an electrical signal and outputs it as an image signal. An image processing circuit 202 performs image processing on the image signal from the CCD 201, such as shading correction for correcting non-uniformity of output and γ correction for correcting density characteristics. 207 is an add-on display RAM 1208 that stores code data representing characters such as letters and symbols to be added on; an add-on font ROM 1208 is an add-on font ROM that outputs dot data representing characters such as letters and symbols corresponding to the code data; An add-on RAM 206 that stores dot data controls the output of the dot data stored in the add-on RAM and outputs an add-on start signal ADS.
an add-on image generation circuit that generates add-on image data to be inserted into the document image in response to T; 203 is a synthesis circuit that synthesizes the document image data from the image processing circuit 202 and the add-on image data from the add-on image generation circuit 206;
Reference numeral 204 is the aforementioned printer that performs a printing operation based on the image data from the composition circuit 203.

Further, 210 is a control unit CPU that controls the operation of each block of the reader, and performs control operations using RAM 215, 110216, etc. according to a program stored in ROM 214.

Reference numeral 213 denotes an editor provided on the document platen pressure plate 142;
Reference numeral 12 corresponds to the operation unit shown in the third figure, reference numeral 211 is a buzzer that emits a buzzer sound to the operator, and reference numeral 209 is a sub-scanning counter that counts the number of recording lines of the printer.

With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. Print output is possible.

Hereinafter, setting of various parameters for character input will be explained using FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 shows the display state of the liquid crystal display unit 123 when setting various parameters for character input, and FIG. 6 shows the display state of the CPU 2 regarding setting of various parameters.
This figure shows 10 operating procedures.

When the character input key 134 on the editor is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 5(A) is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 123 (St).
.

As mentioned above, the liquid crystal display section 123 is a touch panel display, and the display area surrounded by an oval on the screen, that is, "
When the operator touches the "Character input", "Character density", "Character size", "Layout", and "AC" sections, the CPU
210 is a liquid crystal display section 123 as a part of the operation section 143;
It assumes that there has been an input from , and indicates actions such as setting the necessary data, changing the display screen, and waiting for new parameter input.

If the add-on characters have already been input using the method described below, change the "Character input" key part as shown in Figure 5 (B).
The display is reversely displayed (S3), and the operator is informed that the add-on character has been inputted and is 0.

In the following explanation, this will be referred to as a key reverse check. The operator selects the type of editing for character input in the display state of FIG. 5(a) or FIG. 5(B), and sets parameters for character input on a new screen (S4.
S5. S6. 87°S8).

Below, we will explain when the character input key 1001, character density key 1002, character size key 1003, and layout key 1004 of the liquid crystal display section 123 are pressed.

When the character input key 1001 is pressed, it is determined whether a character input character (hereinafter referred to as an add-on character) is input and 0 is input (S9). If the add-on characters are manually created,
The input add-on characters are displayed as shown in FIG. 5(E) (S17).

On the other hand, if the add-on character has not been input, after setting a 10 second timer (S10), the operator is asked to press the add-on character on the character input surface 143 on the editor with the point pen 138. Diagram (C)
Display (Sll).

This display is controlled to automatically change to the display shown in FIG. 5(D) after 10 seconds have elapsed (S13).

Furthermore, if the point pen 138 of the editor is pressed on the editor before the 10 seconds have elapsed (S12), it is checked whether the pressed position is on the character input surface 143 of the editor (314). The pressed position is the character input surface 14
3, the character input screen 14 is displayed to the operator.
CPU to notify the operator that 3 was pressed.
210 sounds the buzzer 211 (S15).

The CPU 210 calculates which character was pressed from the point information from the editor, and registers this character code in the add-on display RAM 207 (S16).

There are 150 characters on the character input surface 134, 0 to 1.
49 code is registered in the add-on display RAM 207. This code displays the input characters on the LCD display section 123.
Used when displaying.

Conversely, the position pressed with the point pen 138 is character input surface 1.
If the number is not 34, the buzzer 211 does not sound, and the operator knows that it is necessary to input characters again using the point pen 138, thereby preventing input errors.

Inputting characters using the character input surface 143 of the editor and point pen 138 in this way is more intuitive for the operator than the method of inputting character codes using the numeric keypad 105, and there are fewer input errors. This is a good method. The editor can also be used to specify zoom magnification and area (as described above) and other editing modes.

The input add-on characters are displayed in this way, and the CPU 210 first displays the screen shown in FIG. 5(D) on the liquid crystal display section 123 (517).

In FIG. 5(D), 1006 is a deletion key, 1007
1008 is an insert key, and 1008 is a cursor movement key.

The contents stored in the add-on display RAM 217 are displayed on the liquid crystal display section 123 (318). When an add-on character is specified in Figure 5 (B), only one character will be displayed, but after entering the character, setting other copy modes, for example setting the move mode, and then pressing the character input mode key again. , when this screen is displayed, all previously entered characters are displayed.

In the liquid crystal display section 123, an add-on display RAM 207
The contents are displayed in an area of 3 lines x 17 characters in 8 x 8 dots as shown in Figure 5(E). The CPU 210 moves the cursor to the "A" position in FIG. 5(E) (S19).
). After that, if you are in insert mode, insert key 1007
is displayed in reverse (S20).

If an add-on character is specified with the point pen 138 in this state (S22, 523), the buzzer 211 sounds (524) to notify the operator that a character has been input. If it is not the insert mode (S25), the currently specified character is displayed at the cursor position regardless of whether a character is displayed at the position indicated by the cursor (526). A character code is written and displayed at the position corresponding to the cursor position (S27), and the cursor position is advanced by one (328).

Additionally, if the point pen 138 is in insert mode when an add-on character is pressed, the insert key 1007 in FIG. 5(D) is displayed in reverse, and the selected character is inserted just before the cursor. be done.

The display state at that time will be explained using FIG. 7. Now, the 7th
As shown in Figure (1) ([A, B, C..., P, QJ 1
Seven characters are displayed, showing how rXJ and rYJ are inserted between rCJ and rDJ. Character rearrangement due to insertion is performed only on the line where the cursor is located, and the last character (i.e., the 17th character) of the line where the character is inserted is erased from the add-on display RAM 207, and the rearrangement is performed one after another as shown in FIG. 7 (2). , (3) is carried out (S29).

After this, move the cursor position one position forward (530)
, the characters have been rearranged in the line where the characters have been inserted, so the - line is redisplayed (S31).

Next, the operation when the delete key 1006 is pressed will be explained using FIG. As shown in FIG.
Character strings n, C, . . . , P, QJ are displayed. In (1), if the delete key 1006 is pressed while the cursor is indicating the character "D" (S32)
, the character indicated by the cursor in the add-on display RAM 207 is deleted, and the rearrangement is performed from the next character to the last character of the line as shown in FIG. 8(2) (S36).

The - character will be deleted, so put a "-" (space code) at the end of the line (.

When the delete key 1006 is pressed, the character strings in the line are rearranged in this way, so after the rearrangement operation is completed, the - line is displayed again (536), and the state again waits for key input.

Also, if the insert key 1007 is pressed (333)
, if it is not the insert mode, the mode is changed to the insert mode, and if it is the insert mode, the insert mode is canceled (S37).
, is used to check the insertion mode when a character is pressed with the point pen 138.

If any of the four cursor movement keys 1008 is pressed (S34), the cursor is moved in the direction indicated by the pressed key (838), and the system waits for key input. If the previous screen key 1009 is pressed, the screen returns to the screen for setting each character input mode (S35).

If a key other than the above is pressed, for example numeric keypad 105
, editor mode keys 129-137, density key 10
When keys 7 to 109 are pressed, each key is processed (S39) and the key wait state is entered again.

Next, in the state shown in Fig. 5 (A) or (B), press the character density key 1.
The operation when 002 is pressed will be explained.

There are two types of character density for add-on characters: forced output mode and overlay output mode.
In the display state shown in Figure (F), the settings can be made by pressing the forced output key 1010 and the overlay output key 1O1l.

The forced output mode and overlay output mode will now be explained using FIG. 9.

As mentioned above, when the characters set in the character input mode are combined with the document and image information read by the reader and output on the printer, the forced output mode is used as described below (add-on character area set and document read This is a mode that outputs only the information in the add-on character area to the printer when image information overlaps.On the other hand, overlay output mode outputs the black part (character part) of the font information of the add-on character to the printer at a specified density, and the font The white part of the information is ORed with the original image information and output to the printer.

In Figure 9, (A) is the original image information read by League, (B) is the font information, and (C) is the forced output mode (
(D) is an example of the output result in overlay output mode (black).

When the character density key 1002 is pressed in the display state of FIG. 5(B) (S5), the screen without the reverse display of the keys shown in FIG. 5(F) is displayed (540).

Next, if the forced output mode is selected, the forced output key is displayed in reverse, and if the overlay output mode is selected, the overlay output key is displayed in reverse (S41). FIG. 5(F) shows the overlay output mode, in which the overlay output key 1011 is displayed in reverse. Until we have key human resources,
The key human power waiting state continues (S42).

If forced output key 1010 is pressed (S43),
Set l″ in the selector 432 (S47), and enter the key manual power waiting state again (S42).Concentration ratio Kaki-101
If 1 is pressed, the selector 432 is set to "0" (547), and the key is placed in a waiting state again (S42).
).

Black key 1012. White key 1013. When the gray key 104 is pressed (S44), values 0FFH, OOH, and 07FH corresponding to the respective densities are set in the density registers (348). Then, it enters the input waiting state again (S
42).

Also, when the previous screen key 1015 is pressed (345
) and FIG. 5(B) are displayed, and a screen appears in which each character input mode can be selected. If any other key is pressed, the process corresponding to the input key is performed (S46), and the system enters the state of waiting for human input again (S42).

Next, the case where the character size key 1003 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 5(A) will be described. Add-on RAM205
The same add-on RAM by controlling the read clock from
From the contents of 205, 1 mm, 2 mm, 4
It is designed to output add-on characters in three sizes: mm and m. When the character size key 1003 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 5 (G) is displayed (S49), and l m m
A key reverse check is performed for the key, 2mm key, and 4mm key (350).

1 mm m key 1016.2mm key 1017.4mm
If any of the keys 1018 is pressed (S51),
A resolution suitable for each is set (S52). still,
When the key 1019 is pressed (S54), FIG.
B) is displayed.

Next, the case where the layout key 1004 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 5(A) will be explained. layout key 10
04, it is possible to select whether to output the character string input as described above to an arbitrary position on the output sheet and in the horizontal or vertical direction.

Set these two parameters using the layout key 100.
Do this by pressing 4. That is, when the key 1004 is pressed, a screen for selecting the output direction of the character string shown in FIG. 5(H) is displayed (356). The output direction key for the selected character string is highlighted (S57), and if the horizontal layout key 1021 or the vertical layout key 1022 is pressed (S59), the output direction is set. ((S60). This output direction data is used when accessing the contents written in the add-on font ROM 208. Specifically, there are vertical writing fonts and horizontal writing fonts, and the data when accessing these fonts is used. Note that when the key 1020 is pressed, the display shown in Fig. 5 (B) appears (S61), and the
When the K key 1023 is pressed, the display shown in FIG. 5(1) for layout setting is performed.

Next, an output reference position is set to determine where on the output paper the character string is to be output.

Here, the output reference position will be explained using FIG. 1O and FIG. 11. FIG. 1O shows the liquid crystal display section 123 displaying the character string input by the method described above. At this time, in the case of horizontal output, the first character of the first line is r.
The upper left corner of MJ is also controlled so that the lower left corner (space 2) of the first character on the third line coincides with the point indicated in the output reference position when outputting in the vertical direction. 11 (B) and (C) according to the output reference position K P on the paper in the case of horizontal output and the vertical output, respectively.
The output is as shown in . Note that FIG. 11(A) shows the original image to be read.

In order to determine this output reference position KP, after selecting the vertical and horizontal outputs in the state shown in FIG.
Press key 1023. Then, FIG. 5(1) is displayed on the liquid crystal display section 123 (S64). The currently input output reference position KP is then displayed as a dot on the screen (S65).

When there is a new input using the point pen 138, (3
66), convert the point information into a new output reference position KP and store it 567), and display it again (S65).

The display is controlled so that if the previous screen key 1024 is pressed, the display changes to the screen shown in FIG. 5(H), and if the OK key 1025 is pressed, the display changes to the screen shown in FIG. 5(B). .

The characters to be inserted into the manuscript image as described above.

After inputting symbols and setting the character size, insertion position, character direction, density, etc., when the start key 101 is pressed, a composite image of the original image and character information is printed.

Next, the operation during the printing operation will be explained.

Figure 16 shows C I) U 210 related to printing operation.
The control procedure is shown below.

Figure 14 shows the hardware configuration of the add-on image generation circuit 206.

Now, as a specific example, a case will be described in which the character string shown in FIG. 12(B) is output to the position shown in FIG. 15 in character mode.

Copy start key after manual power (SIOI), CPU210
It is determined whether the output is vertical or not (5102), and if the output is vertical, a font for vertical writing is set, and if not, a font for horizontal writing is set (103, 5to4). Then, it is stored in the add-on display RAM 207. Add-on font ROM208 stores font data corresponding to character code information.
By accessing, the data is expanded to the add-on RAM 35, which is a bitmap memory (S105). In this embodiment, each font consists of 8×8 dots as shown in FIG. 12(A), so the add-on RAM 205 has 8×maximum main scanning character number bytes, which is sufficient for the maximum number of characters that can be displayed.

Add the character string in Figure 12 (B) to Figure 12 (C)
It shows how it is expanded to AM205. In FIG. 12(C), addresses correspond in the vertical direction, and 1-byte memory corresponds to each address in the horizontal direction. In addition, in the same figure, following the first line "l 2 3 4" (since there is no need to output blank spaces for 13 characters, it is developed as character input information of 2 characters vertically x 4 characters horizontally).

For this add-on RAM 205, the add-on image generation circuit 206 is a, a+8°a+ in FIG. 12(C).
16. If you read a+24, it will be main scanning l line,
Next, add 1 to each address, a+l, a+9. a+1
When read as 7°a+25, the next main scanning l line is output. By repeating this operation, binarized image data corresponding to FIG. 15 can be obtained. Furthermore, by controlling the clock when reading the add-on RAM 205, it is possible to change the character size, and in this embodiment, each character is
If you output the 8 x 8 dot font shown in Figure 12 (A) at a resolution of 50 dpi, it will be approximately 4.
m m, similarly 8x8 dot font 100dpi
If it is output at a resolution of 2 mm, it can be output at a size of about 2 mm. Furthermore, the information corresponding to "l" and the image information corresponding to "0" of the binarized data read from the add-on RAM 205 are output at the density set in the add-on density information 422 and designated density information 423, respectively. By this,
It becomes possible to achieve high character density.

The CPU 210 determines the number of main scanning characters (4'' in Figure 12 (B)).
) is set in the main scanning character number latch 428 (S106
).

This determines the order in which the add-on RAM 205 is read. Next, the resolution corresponding to the character size described above is set in the resolution latch 429 (5107), and the density of the image information corresponding to "l" read from the add-on RAM 205 is set in the add-on density latch 422 (5107).
108). Further, the mode latch 436 is set to l in the case of forced output mode and to 0 in case of overlay output mode (S109). In the case of the forced output mode, it is possible to set the density of the image information corresponding to "O" read from the add-on RAM 35 in the specified density latch 423, and the selector 432 selects the specified density information. Further, in the case of overlay output mode, the document image information input to the selector 432 via the signal line 435 is selectively output.

The main scanning start position of the image information to be added next, specifically, the Y in FIG. 15 corresponding to the reference output position KP mentioned above.
The data corresponding to out is sent to the main scanning start latch 437.
(SIIO). Specifically, the CPU 210 calculates the ripple carry output timing of the main scanning counter 435 and inputs the counter 4 to the main scanning start latch 437.
Set it as a load value of 35.

Here, the main scanning counter 435 loads an initial value from the latch 437 using the BD double signal (main scanning reference signal) and starts counting. The RC signal output from the counter 435 becomes the add-on main scanning start signal corresponding to Yout in FIG.

In addition, the value of X END calculated from the sub-scanning start position Xout and the number of sub-scanning characters, that is, "2" in the example of FIG. Enable scanning period signal ADST to be generated (Sill).

Next, calculate the X END calculated as described above and the Y END calculated from the resolution and the number of characters in main scanning, and use these values and the subscript of the paper stored in the cassette selected by the cassette selection key 117. The scanning size and the main scanning size are compared to determine whether the input characters protrude from the paper (S112). and X END and Y
If the size of the paper is larger than the paper size on either side of the END, it is determined that the characters protrude from the paper, image formation is blocked, and a warning message as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed to the operator on the liquid crystal display section 12.
3 (S113).

When this warning is displayed, the operator changes the paper size, or changes the layout position, number of characters, resolution, etc. of input characters.

If the input characters can be recorded without extending beyond the paper,
Additionally, other editing modes, e.g. magnification.

It is determined whether processing such as moving, trimming, masking, etc. is set (5114), and if it is set, the parameters necessary for the processing are set in the image processing circuit 202 (5115), and then the document is read. Continue scanning the original until the required number of pages have been printed (
S116. 5117).

Next, add-on image generation circuit 2 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14
06 and the synthesis circuit 203 will be explained below.

Binarized image information from the add-on RAM 205 is transferred byte by byte from the signal line 420 to the shift register 419.
Man-powered. One pulse of a signal indicating the start of the main scanning l line generated from the BD multiplied signal from the printer is inputted from the input section 401 to the flip-flop 402 . Then, the flip-flop 402 is set and the synchronous up
A main scanning character number counter 403 consisting of a counter is initialized. Also, the flip-flop 408 is reset,
Main scanning character number counter 403 and resolution counter 414
The enable signal becomes L. The clock is counted by the main scanning counter 435 in synchronization with the main scanning reading of the league, and when the image information reaches the position in the main scanning line where the add-on image data starts to be output, that is, the main scanning start latch 437 is set. When the counting of the values is completed, an H LST signal is inputted to the input unit 404 for one clock, and the main scanning character number counter 403 is incremented by 1 by the set output of the flip-flop 405, and the resolution counter 414 is initialized and shifted. The register 419 is in a loaded state, and 1 byte of add-on information, for example, in the example of FIG. 12, the information at address a is stored in the shift register 41.
9 is loaded. The resolution counter 414 counts down sequentially from the initial value. The 0 decoder 416 determines that the lower 3 bits of the resolution counter 414 are all 0, and outputs the output to the shift register 419 every time the lower 3 bits become 0.
Binarized add-on image data is sequentially output bit by bit.

For example, when the data read from QH of the shift register 419 is "Bi", six inputs are selected from the selector 426 and the add-on concentration set in the latch 422 is outputted from the selector 427 via the latch 424.

Further, if the data read from QH of the shift register 419 is "0", the selector 426 selects the B person. And in case of overlay output mode, signal line 4
35, and in the case of the forced output mode, the white density set in the designated density latch 423 is selected by the selector 432 and output from the latch 425. When one byte of add-on information is output from the shift register 419 in this manner, the resolution counter 414 receives ripple carries R and C.

is output, the main scanning character number counter 403 counts up by one, and the counter 414 is initialized again.

Then, the next 1 byte worth of add-on information, in FIG. 12(C), the information at address a+q is loaded into the shift register 419.

In this way, the number of main scanning characters in the main scanning l line is counted by the main scanning character number counter 403, and the number of characters (12th
In the figure, when it becomes 4), the comparator 409 returns ■! is output,
Counter 414 stops. Also, at this time, the forced output mode is in effect, and the selector 432 is set to the designated density latch 42.
Even if information No. 3 is selected, the document density from the signal line 431 is selected by closing the gate 433. The same process is repeated for the next main scanning line.

Also, regarding switching the resolution, use the resolution color 1/ /
7 AI A, A1. i n +knee 1-/fA
Ig He/A! L! -I+ 12! ii Prison II
33111. For example, in order to lower the resolution by applying a gate to the output value from the resolution counter 414, it is possible to achieve this by shifting the output value 1 bit higher. In this case, the R and C values of the resolution counter 414 are
It is necessary to apply similar control to the 0 output.

Next, referring to FIG. 14, hardware that accesses the add-on information developed on the RAM 205 described in FIG. 12 and supplies it to the shift register 419 shown in FIG. 13 will be described. First, the add-on start address (a in Figure 12 (C)) is set from the signal line 509 to the latch 520, and the jump value of the address (32 in Figure 12 (C)) is set from the signal line 510 to the latch 521. , this value changes depending on the number of characters in one line, and is set to m x n, where the number of characters in one line is m1 and the font size is nXn. The input section 502 also includes the input section 40 in FIG.
The same signal at the beginning of one main scanning line as that input to line 512 is input, and the number of main scanning characters from the counter 403 in FIG. 13 is input from the signal line 512. However, for add-on address 515, 514 is the lower 3bii F
t+9H balls 1er J k i + or more are output.

Further, the sub-scanning direction address section signal power 1 set by the CPU 210 is input to the input unit 501 .

Here, the flow of addresses will be explained using FIG. 12. First, L is input to the input section 501, and the start address a is loaded from the latch 520 to the counter 511. Next, each time the number of main scanning characters is sequentially counted, the number of characters is counted up from the lower 4 bits of the signal line 512, so the add-on address 515 contains a+8
．． a+16. a+24- is output. When l main scanning lines are accessed in this manner, l clocks are input from the input section 502 and the address counter 505 counts up by one. Then, 1 is added to the output of the add-on address 515, and the addresses become a+l, a+9 . a+17...
・It is accessed as Repeat this one after another a+7. a+
15..., ripple carries R, C, are output from the counter 505, and an additional value 32 corresponding to the jump value is added to the counter 511 from the latch 521, and a+
32. It is accessed as a+40°a+48...

In this manner, the add-on character data developed in the add-on RAM 205 is sequentially output to the shift register 419.

As explained above, according to the configuration of this embodiment, information such as letters, numbers, symbols, etc. of a desired size and density is inserted at a desired position of a document image read by a reader, and an overlaid image is printed. becomes possible.

In addition, by preparing not only alphabets, numbers, etc., but also Chinese characters, various marks, etc. as input characters as font patterns, it becomes possible to insert and overlay various information into the original image.

In addition, as font information, as shown in Fig. 18 (
In addition to the example shown in A) (later), the example shown in Figure 18 (B) (,1
, 0 are prepared and made selectable as necessary, various processes such as outputting white characters can be easily executed.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to arbitrarily synthesize characters such as letters and symbols on a document image with a simple configuration.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the copying apparatus, FIG. 3 is an external view of a reader, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the copying apparatus. Figure 5,
Figures 1θ and 17 are diagrams showing the display state of the liquid crystal display section, Figures 6 (A) to (H) and Figure 16 are flowcharts showing the control procedure of the CPU, and Figures 7 and 8 are Figure 9 shows the character display state, Figure 9 shows the composition operation, Figures 11 and 15 show examples of composition output, Figures 12 and 1
8 is a diagram showing font data, and FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing the configuration of an add-on image generation circuit.
1138 is a touch pen, 139 is a digitizer, 201 is a CCD, 203 is a synthesis circuit, 205 is an add-on RAM, 206 is an add-on image generation circuit, 21
0 is the CPU.

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) A reading means for reading a manuscript image, a storage means for storing character data, and a composition means for combining the manuscript image information from the reading means and character image information corresponding to the character data from the storage means. An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing apparatus, wherein the image density of the character image information can be set independently of the original image. (2) An image processing apparatus according to claim (1), characterized in that the background of the character is synthesized and output as an original image or an image of a predetermined density. (3) An image processing apparatus according to claim (1), characterized in that the size of a character image to be synthesized is determined by controlling readout of character data from the storage means. (4) An image processing apparatus according to claim (1), characterized in that an output direction of character images to be synthesized is selected. (5) An image processing apparatus according to claim (1), characterized in that a character image is synthesized at an arbitrary position of a document image. (6) An image processing apparatus according to claim (1), characterized in that a warning is given that a character image to be synthesized is output to an inappropriate position. (7) An image processing apparatus according to claim (1), further comprising means for setting characters to be synthesized.