JPS63246764A - Image editing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit easy region assigment of intricate shapes by contrasting the inputted image signal with the region figure signals stored in a memory device and deciding the editing region where the original image signal belongs. CONSTITUTION:A region assignment medium drawn with the contours of desired editing regions 12, 13 on the original image 11 as the figures 15, 16 on a medium 14 separate from the the original 11 is formed. The region figures 15, 16 on the medium are read by an image reader and the inputted region figure signals are stored in the memory device. The original image 11 is then read by the image reader and the inputted image signal is contrasted with the region figure signals stored in the memory device to decide the editing region where the original image signal belongs. The extremely easy assignment of the editing region having the intricate shapes is thereby permited.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image editing method that can be applied to a digital image processing device using an image reading sensor such as a CCD.

[Conventional technology]

Digital image processing devices that use image reading sensors such as CCDs can erase part of the image area, leave only a specific area and erase the surrounding area, or perform halftone processing on areas such as photographs. Can be edited.

At this time, the editing area is specified using a light pen or keyboard while viewing the original image displayed on the monitor display of the editing device connected to the image reading device.

The area that can be specified is a rectangle, and the area is generally specified by specifying two points on the diagonal of the rectangle, and complex-shaped areas are also specified by combining rectangles.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, when specifying an area using only rectangles, it is difficult to specify an area with a complex shape, and it takes time and effort, so it is desirable to have a method that can easily specify an area with a complex shape. It was rare.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention specifies an editing area by having an image reading device read an area figure drawn on a medium such as a film. In an image editing method in an image reading device equipped with an image editing means for specifying and editing a desired image, the outline of a desired editing area specified on a document image is created as an area figure on a medium separate from the document. creating a region designation medium with a drawn image, causing an image reading device to read the region graphic on the medium, storing the input region graphic signal in a storage device, and then causing the image reading device to read the original image; The present invention is characterized in that the input image signal is compared with area graphic signals stored in the storage device to determine the editing area to which the original image signal belongs.

[For production]

Since the editing area is designated by drawing it on an OHP film or the like and reading it with an image reading device, it is possible to designate not only a rectangular area but also an arbitrary shape area very easily. Note that the attributes of the designated editing area, such as binarization processing, halftone processing, erasure, etc., are instructed from the keyboard.

〔Example〕

Examples of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the basic configuration of a digital image reading device suitable for carrying out the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 indicates an image reading device, 2 indicates a document glass, and 11.14 indicates a document and an area specifying film, which will be explained later. 4 is an exposure lamp; 5, 6, and 7 are eleventh, second, and third mirrors, respectively; 8 is a projection lens; and 9 is a CCD line sensor. The first, second and third mirrors 5, 6, 7 and the projection lens 8 constitute a scanning optical system. An image of a document 11 or the like placed on a document glass 2 is irradiated with an exposure lamp 4, and the reflected light forms an image on a CCD line sensor 9 via a scanning optical system. The CCD line sensor 9 has a length corresponding to the width of the document in the main scanning direction, and outputs an image signal for one line in the main scanning direction.

Scanning in the sub-scanning direction can be achieved by moving the document glass 2 by a drive means (not shown), or can also be accomplished by known means such as moving a scanning optical system. In addition, the image reading magnification can be changed by using the projection lens 8 and the document 1.
It goes without saying that this can be done by adjusting the distance between the CCD and the lens and the distance between the CCD and the lens. (a) shows a manuscript 11. Area 1 on document 11
Reference numeral 2 indicates a character portion, which should be read as a black and white image. Further, region 13 indicates a photographic portion, and is a portion where halftone reproduction is desired.

FIG. 2(b) shows the area designation film 14.
Using HP film, Tracing (-) Z-, or the like, an outline of an area 16, in this example a photographic area 13, to be processed is drawn on the original 11.

FIG. 3 shows an attribute RA that reads the area designation film 14 and stores information regarding the processing method for each area.
This is a diagram showing an example of areas stored in M and their attributes, where area 18 is an area of binarized information that performs black and white processing;
Area 19 indicates an area where halftone reproduction processing is performed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing circuit that reads the original 11 and the region designation film and processes the attributes designated for each region.

In the figure, 20 is an image processing CPU, and 21 is a clock generation circuit that supplies a clock signal to the CPU 20 and also provides a sample hold signal to the CCD. 22 is C
It receives reflected light from an image on a CD and converts it into an electrical signal, and has 1247 pixels in the main scanning direction. 23 is an A/D converter that converts analog data output from the CCD into digital data. A shading circuit 24 corrects unevenness in light amount in the main scanning direction included in the image signal output from the A/D converter 23 and variations in sensitivity between CCD pixels. Reference numeral 28 denotes a threshold value output circuit that outputs a threshold value that serves as a reference for dividing the read image signal into binary values of black and white. A comparison circuit 25 compares the image signal output from the shading circuit with the threshold value output from the threshold output circuit, converts it into a binary signal, that is, determines a white or black signal, and outputs the signal to the image RAM 26.

Image RAM 26 is document 1-! :- has a capacity of
It is controlled by the write/read control signal and the setting address signal output from the CPU 20, and the writing of the image signal,
Reading is performed. Reference numeral 27 denotes an attribute RAM, which is a memory for storing the area specifying film when it is read, and has a capacity for the area specifying film IK.
The image signal read into the AM, that is, the area designation figure, and the attribute designated by the command input from the operation panel or the like are stored. The attribute RAM will be explained in detail later. 29 is a dither ROM, which is a special memory that stores F-tan to perform halftone processing from image signals, and utilizes the integral effect of human vision when reproducing halftones in photographs, etc. , is used to express the density of an image by the area occupancy rate of black dots in minute areas. That is, for the density level of each pixel of the original, a preset threshold level, for example, one arranged in a 4 x 4 matrix,
If the pixel is larger than the threshold value, the pixel is output as white, and if it is smaller than the threshold value, the pixel is output as black.The density of the image is expressed by the number of black dots in the matrix, and in the above example, the pixel is output as white, and if it is smaller than the threshold value, the pixel is output as black.
Gradation is expressed. 30 is a selector, attribute RAM 2
Threshold or dither ROM 29 which judges the attribute signal for each area stored in 7 and outputs from threshold output circuit 28
Select the halftone processed signal output from. 31 is a comparison circuit that compares the image signal output from the shading circuit 24 and the processed signal output from the selector 30 according to the attributes of each area, and converts it into a binary image signal or halftone image signal depending on the area. Output the processed image signal. Also,
A signal specifying erasure of a specific area is also inputted to the comparison circuit 31 from the attribute RAM, and at this time, the output of the image signal for that area is stopped and white is output. An inverter 32 inverts the image signal output from the comparison circuit 31, and outputs a black-on-white image as a white-on-black image.

33 is a selection output circuit which selects and outputs either a normal image or an inverted image according to the attributes stored in the attribute RAM.

An image RAM is connected to the input port ■□ of the CPU 20, and a binarized image signal and area designation graphic signal are inputted via the comparison circuit 25 in accordance with the write signal outputted from the output N-to. is written, and the contents of the RAM are transferred to the CPU 20 according to the read signal output from the output port 0.
is read into. The output port 0□ of the CPU 20 outputs a signal for outputting a threshold value to the threshold value output circuit 28. Similarly, from the output heat 03, a signal indicating the attribute of the area specified by the area specifying image signal or command signal previously stored in the image RAM is output and written to the attribute RAM.
Its reading is also controlled. An image signal output control signal is output from the output N-to o4 to the selection output circuit 33. Furthermore, output ports 05 to 07 output sub-scanning direction control signals, exposure lamp flashing signals, image reading magnification change signals, etc. to the image reading device, and input N-tr2 is connected to the operation channel keyboard. Attribute data and other command signals are inputted from the input terminal z-), and a scanner constant position signal is inputted to the input z-)I3. Needless to say, other necessary control signals are sent and received to and from the CPU 20, although not shown.

Next, the attribute RAM mentioned earlier will be explained.

The attribute data written to the attribute RAM consists of 4 pits (d3,
d2, dl, do), each pit is, respectively.
The attribute information shown in Table 1 is shown. That is, do specifies two dither ξ turns.

dl specifies either binary processing or dither processing.

d2 instructs black and white inversion. d3 instructs whitening.

Table 1 Using the 4-bit attribute data shown in Table 1, the eight attributes shown in Table 2 can be given.

Table 2 The signals of each of these bits d3, d2, dl, and do are sent to the comparator circuit 31, selection output circuit 33, and selector 30, respectively.
, output to the dither ROM 29 to specify the attributes of the original image to be processed.

Next, the image editing area and its attributes (binarization, halftone,
(Erase, black and white inversion, etc.) Figure 4, Figure 2,
This will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, an OHP film 14 is placed on the original image 11, and a figure 16 is drawn in an area where special processing is desired (see FIG. 2). Set this area designation film on the image reading device IK, and perform operation 1 (not shown). A command to specify an area from the film is input from the keyboard of the camera, and an attribute signal specifying the attribute of the specified area, such as a binary signal or a halftone process specification signal, are input to the CPU 20.

Reading of the area designation film 14 is started, and the area designation figure for one line in the main scanning direction is read by the CCD 22.
The signal is converted into a digital signal via an A/D converter 23 and a shading circuit 24, subjected to distortion correction, and input to a comparison circuit 25. At this time, the comparison circuit 31 does not operate. The comparison circuit 25 binarizes the input area designation graphic signal and outputs it to the image RAM 26. CPU 20 is image RAM
Read the contents of 26 and save the area and its attributes to attribute RAM 2.
7, as shown by scanning line (a) in FIG. 5, the contents of the image RAM 26 are read out sequentially from the end, and when the output signal changes from white to black, that is, scanning line (a) When reaches a point A where the line 16 intersects with the contour line 16 of the area designation figure, the previously specified attribute signal is transferred to the attribute RA.
Start writing on M27.

The signal read out from the image RAM 26 returns to white again.
Furthermore, point B where the scanning line (a) intersects the contour line 16 again
When the color reaches black, one area specified in one line in the main scanning direction ends, and writing of the attribute signal to the attribute RAM 27 ends.

However, after starting to write the attribute signal to the attribute RAM 27, the signal read from the image RAM 26 changes from white to white.
If the processing of one scanning line is completed without changing from black to white, that is, if the outline 16 of the area designation figure is scanned as shown as scanning line (b) in FIG. Image RAM 2 again in the opposite direction from the end point E of the line
6 is read out, and the ED is scanned until the read signal changes from white to black. By rewriting it to the attribute RAM 27 as the same attribute as the original attribute, only the outline 16 of the area designation figure is displayed. Can be written using specified attribute signals. Note that attribute designation can be easily performed by adding a process of writing the attribute to the attribute RAM 27 so that areas other than the designated area are binarized.

With the above, the area for one line in the main scanning direction and its attribute are set to attribute R.
Since the information has been written in the AM 27, sub-scanning is performed and this is repeated to write the area and attributes for one page of the area designation film in the attribute RAM 27. Figure 3 shows attribute RA
An example of the area written in M27 and its attributes is shown.

Since the writing of the area and attributes to the attribute RAM 27 is completed above, the document image is next read.

When a document image is set on the image reading device and a command is given to read the document image from the keyboard of the operation panel, the scanning starts, and one line of the document image in the main scanning direction is scanned by the CCD.
22 , and sequentially passes through an A/D converter 23 and a shading circuit 24 to become a digital signal, which undergoes distortion correction and is input to a comparison circuit 31 . At this time, the comparison circuit 25 does not operate. On the other hand, the attribute RAM 27 outputs attribute signals d3 to do corresponding to the designated area. The binary signal outputted from the attribute RAM or the halftone processed signal outputted via the dither ROM 29 is selected by the attribute information d1 inputted to the selector 30 and outputted to the comparison circuit 31. For example, a white signal is input directly to the comparator circuit for image erasure.

The image signals input to the comparison circuit 31 and the attribute signals have corresponding positions on the image, and are output synchronously, so the image signals input sequentially to the comparison circuit 31 are processed by the attribute signals at the positions. , in the case of a binary signal, it becomes a black and white image,
In the case of a halftone processed signal, it is processed as a halftone image, and in the case of a white signal, it is processed as a white image without outputting an image signal.

It will be done. The selection output circuit selects a regular image signal or an inverted image signal according to the attribute specified in the attribute RAM 27 and outputs it to an output device (not shown).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of an image editing process executed by the CPU 20 for controlling the image reading device.

After turning on the power, initial settings such as clearing the CPU memory are performed (step PI), commands input from the keyboard are accepted (step P2), and the area specification mode, document image reading mode, etc. are determined (step P3, P5, P8). As a result, if the area designation mode is the entire area mode, that is, the entire document image is to be processed in the same mode, the process proceeds to step P4, and the attributes, which are also input from the keyboard, are set in the entire attribute RAM.

If the area is specified from the keyboard, the process proceeds to step P6, where the rectangular area is input by inputting the diagonal coordinate position of the desired rectangular area from the keyboard, and furthermore, the attribute is input from the keyboard to set it. Furthermore, if the area is specified using an OHP film or the like, the image reading device reads the film on which the figure of the desired area is drawn in accordance with the original image, and then sets the attribute by inputting the attribute from the keyboard. In the original image reading mode, the original image is read from the image reading device and processed according to the previously input area and its attributes.

In the above embodiment, the image RAM and attribute RAM have the size of one page of the original image, but since the resolution is low and they function sufficiently, if the read area designation figure is reduced, it can be used as a small storage device. In time.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the editing area can be specified directly from the figure drawn on the OHP film, etc., and therefore, editing areas with complicated shapes can be specified very easily.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the main structure of an image reading device suitable for carrying out the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a document and an area designation film, and FIG. 3 is a view showing areas stored in the attribute RAM. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing circuit, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of reading an area specifying figure, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart outlining the image editing process. 20: CPU, 22: CCD, 23: A/D
Converter, 24 Nijini-Ding circuit, 26: Image slip, 2
7: Attribute tone, 29: Dither R (M, 30: Selector, 3
1: Comparison circuit, 33: Selection output circuit 1st Figure 1 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an image editing method in an image reading device equipped with an image editing means for specifying an area on a document image and performing desired image editing, the outline of the desired editing area specified on the document image is printed on a medium separate from the document. An area designation medium is created with an area figure drawn on the top of the medium, the area figure on this medium is read by an image reading device, the input area figure signal is stored in a storage device, and then the original image is read by an image reading device. An image editing method comprising the steps of: reading the original image signal with a computer, and comparing the input image signal with an area graphic signal stored in the storage device to determine an editing area to which the original image signal belongs.