KR940005164B1 - Picture recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

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Description

Image recording system

1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an embodiment of an image recording system according to the present invention.

2a and 2b are imaging units (IV).

3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a video signal processing circuit of an image input terminal IIT.

4 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of modules of an image processing system (IPS).

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image output terminal (IOT).

6A to 6C are diagrams showing an example of installation of a display device.

7 is a flowchart describing the system operation.

8A to 8N are diagrams for explaining the initial screen.

9A to 9J are diagrams for explaining the edit screen.

10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining conventional editing to be operated by the editing pad.

11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a problem of conventional editing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording system such as a copying machine, and more particularly to an image recording system having improved positional accuracy and operability of a setting area during editing.

Recently, in an image recording system such as a copying machine, a microcomputer has been introduced to realize various editing functions by effectively utilizing advanced control technology and image data processing technology.

Editing may be performed for the whole image or for an image within the region by setting an area in the image. In the latter case, the area is generally set by placing an original on a pad (hereinafter referred to as an editing pad) on which a digitizer called an editor or an edit pad is set and indicating a desired position on the original.

10A to 10C are schematic diagrams showing an example of setting a conventional editing area. As shown in 10a, the edit pad 800 includes an original on which an original is to be placed (801), a stylus (802), and a data bus (803) to which coordinate information of a specific position on the original is transmitted. . In addition, a digitizer is set in the document placing table 801, and coordinate information of the position indicated when pressed by the desired stylus 802 on the document is passed through the data bus 803 for a copier not shown. Transmitted to the control means. In this case, the document 805 is placed in one corner of the document 805 at the registration position 804 which becomes the origin of the edit pad 800, as shown in FIG. 10B.

In the case where only the letter "AB" on the document 805 is to be extracted or deleted, the area indicated by "806" in FIG. 10B is set. In order to set such a rectangular area, the stylus 802 indicates the positions of the upper left vertex P and the lower right vertex Q or the positions of the lower left vertex R and the upper right vertex S. It is enough to instruct. In this way the control means of the copier can determine the sphere 806. When the area setting is completed in this manner, the original is moved upside down on the platen glass 807 of the copier as shown in FIG. 10C. The corner placed in the register position of the edit pad 801 of the document 805 is aligned with the register position 808 of the platen 807 in this operation step. By operating the copier in this manner, a hard copy in which desired editing is performed only on the letter " AB " of the document 805 is output.

As described above, in the area setting using the conventional editing pad, the operation of moving the original from the editing pad to the platen is indispensable, and thus, various problems are caused as follows.

First of all, the problem of positional accuracy. In other words, the originals must be arranged so that their coordinates coincide between the edit pad and the platen, but it is very difficult to match the original position on the edit pad and the platen. Of course, as shown in Fig. 10, the editing pad and the platen are marked with a microphone indicating a register position, so that a large error can be avoided. However, even if the error is not large, the editing area is misaligned and the result of the misalignment is hard-copyed. Because it appears, it is forced to repeat several operations.

Also, even if the manuscript is exactly the same coordinates on the edit pad and the platen, the digitizer of the edit pad is somewhat error-prone, for example, even if the point of the coordinates of (10, 10) is indicated (10, 10). ) Coordinate information is not obtained, and the coordinate information output by the edit pad includes an error. In addition, the imaging unit (IU) is usually configured to drive a long CCD line sensor or a reduction optical system to reduce an image of an original and to form an image on a fixed short CCD line sensor. Although it is necessary to drive in a state where it is correctly leveled, as shown in FIG. 11A, the distance between the IU 810 and the document 805 is not maintained at a predetermined interval d, or as shown in FIG. 11B. If the 810 is not disposed at right angles to the document 805, or if the moving speed of the IU 810 is not constant, so-called skew variation occurs and causes errors in the set area.

As described above, since errors due to various causes are combined, it is difficult to achieve a position accuracy of about 1 mm at most and a position accuracy of less than that.

In addition, as described above, since the position on the edit pad and the platen must be matched in the related art, it is relatively easy to adjust the position of spherical originals, but it is very difficult to align the registration position in an irregular original such as an arcuate manuscript. In such a case, the area had to be designated once pasted on a rectangular sheet of paper.

In addition, when designating a point on the edit pad, the original should be a single sheet. When setting an area on a page of a book, the operation is very poor if the page is not copied once.

In addition, even if a desired area is set on the edit pad, the indicated position cannot be confirmed, and in addition, there is an error described above. Therefore, it is necessary to make a copy to confirm which area is actually edited. It is a skill that requires editing to the system and cannot be easily performed by a beginner.

Even if copying is confirmed, the editing result is black and white copying and the cost is relatively inexpensive, but color copying is expensive, resulting in cost.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems and to provide an image recording apparatus capable of improving the positional accuracy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of improving the operability of area setting.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus which can easily perform fine adjustment and resetting of the setting area position.

The present invention solves the above problems, and the system according to the present invention is characterized by first displaying an image of an original read out from an image input terminal (IIT) 2 in a predetermined area of the display device 12. The editing point and / or editing area can be set directly on the displayed original image. Third, an image obtained as a result of the editing is displayed in a predetermined area of the display device 12.

As an aspect of these functions, the system according to the present invention can not only confirm an image output as a hard copy even when performing a normal copy, but also set the edit point and the edit area directly on the display screen. Moving the original from the platen up to the platen becomes unnecessary, and the setting accuracy of the edit point and the edit area can be improved.

In addition, simply setting the original on the platen glass is sufficient, so the system according to the invention can perform the editing desired by the operator not only on the old original but also on the pages of the unstructured original and the book. Can be improved.

In addition, since the position of the edit point and the edit area set on the screen of the display device are overlapped with the original image, the user can easily check the position of the registered edit point and the registered area position without performing a test copy. The fine adjustment or resetting of the position, the edit area position and the size can be quickly determined.

In addition, since the image obtained as a result of editing is displayed on the display screen, the editing result can be confirmed on the screen. In other words, in the operation of the system according to the present invention, it is not necessary to make a test copy as in the conventional system.

The configuration of the image recording system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings of the purchase indicate corresponding parts.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below by taking an example. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but may be applied to a modified form without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

Although an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and may be usefully applied to a printer, a facsimile, and an image filing system.

1 shows a configuration of an embodiment according to the present invention.

1, reference numeral 1 denotes a control means, reference numeral 2 denotes an image input terminal IIT, reference numeral 3 denotes an image processing system IPS, reference numeral 4 denotes an image output terminal IOT, Reference numeral 5 denotes a holding interface, reference numeral 6 denotes an original memory device, reference numeral 7 denotes an edited memory device, reference numeral 8 denotes a signal conversion circuit, reference numeral 9 denotes a command memory and reference numeral 10 denotes a memory. The memory device, code 11 denotes a display controller, code 12 denotes a display device, code 13 denotes a coordinate input device, code 14 denotes a control panel.

In FIG. 1, the control means 1 collectively controls the IIT 2, the IPS 3, the IOT 4 and the IU 5. Control of all the operations described below is performed by the control means 1.

The IIT 2 decomposes an image of a document into still signals, that is, red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and its configuration is schematically shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 2A shows a cross section of the imaging unit IV, and the document 220 has the image surface to be read placed downward on the platen glass 31 and the IU 37 moves the lower surface of the platen glass 31 in the direction of the arrow. The original surface is exposed by the daylight fluorescent lamp 222 and the reflector 223.

Thus, the reflected light from the document 220 passes through the rod lens array 224 and the cyan filter 225 to form a standing light compensation on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 226. The rod lens array 224 has an advantage of being able to reduce the power of the light source and to make it compact, since it is a compound eye lens composed of four rows of fiber lenses and is bright and has high resolution. The IU 37 has a circuit board 227 including a CCD sensor drive circuit, a CCD sensor output buffer circuit, and the like. Reference numeral 228 denotes a lamp heater, reference numeral 229 denotes a control signal flexible cable, and reference numeral 230 denotes a flexible power supply cable. A circuit board 227 is attached to the housing 37a to which the CCD line sensor 226 is fixed, and a heat sink 250 having a protrusion 250b is attached between the circuit board 227 and the housing 37a. In addition, a punching metal plate 251 for an electromagnetic shield is attached to cover the heat sink 250. The IC chip 252 for a drive is arrange | positioned at the circuit board 227, and the CCD line sensor 226 is electrically connected to the circuit board 227 by the connecting pin 26a.

FIG. 2B shows a detailed view of the daylight fluorescent lamp 22. A reflective film 222b is formed on the inner surface of the glass tube 222a, except for the surface of the aperture angle α (about 50 °), and on the inner surface of the fluorescent film 222c. The formed reflective film fluorescent lamp is shown. In this configuration, the power consumption of the fluorescent lamp 222 is effectively irradiated onto the document surface. The reason why the fluorescent film 222c is formed on the entire surface of the inner surface and the reflective film 222b is formed on the surface except the aperture angle is lower than the type of the fluorescent film except the aperture angle (ie the aperture type). This is because the fluorescent film absorbs the bright lines generated by the mercury vapor, thereby reducing the ratio between the intensity of the bright lines in the distribution of the spectral spectrum of the illumination light and the phosphor emission component. On the outer circumferential surface of the fluorescent lamp 222, a lamp heater 228 and a heat sink (heat radiating member) 222d are provided, and the lamp heater 228 and the cooling fan are controlled by detecting the temperature of the thermistor 222e.

Next, a video signal processing circuit for reading color documents into R.G.B color reflectance signals and shapes using the CCD line sensor 226 and converting them into digital density signals will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, the read data adjustment / conversion circuit 232 performs sample holding of an analog video signal, and performs offset adjustment to convert it into a digital signal. The sample hold circuit 23a and the gain adjustment circuit (AGC) 232b are shown in FIG. And an offset composition circuit (AGC) 232c and an A / D conversion circuit 232d. The white signal (i.e., the read signal of the white reference plate) and the black signal (i.e., the dark output signal) of the CCD line sensor are usually uneven by each chip and by each pixel in the chip. In the gain adjustment circuit AGC 232d, the maximum value (i.e. peak value) of the white signal of each channel is set to a reference value, for example, "200" for 256 gray levels, and in the offset adjustment circuit (AOC) 232c, the minimum value of the black signal is set. The standard value is set to "10" for example, 256 gradations.

The ITG (IIT Typing Generator) 238 performs the control of the delay amount setting circuit 233 and the separation synthesis circuit 234 that perform the zig-zag correction, and the zig-zag correction according to the contents of the register set by the VCPU 74a. The control amount is controlled to adjust the timing of the output of the five-channel CCD line sensor 226 and to distribute it to the color separation signal of the BGR.

The delay amount setting circuit 233 is a so-called jig-zag correction circuit that corrects the attachment staggering direction in the sub-scanning direction of the CCD line sensor 226. It is a line memory having a FIFO structure and stores a signal from a CCD line sensor in a first row that scans the document in advance, and then outputs it in synchronization with a signal output from a CCD line sensor in a second row, and ITG 238. The number of delay lines is controlled in accordance with the setting of the delay amount according to the axial magnification.

Separation synthesis circuit 234 is B, G, R, B, G, R ... of each channel. … And 8-bit data strings are separated into R, G, and B, and stored in line memory, and then the signals of each channel are synthesized by R, G, and B in serial.

The conversion table 236 has two tables of a logarithmic conversion table LUT and a through conversion table LUT for converting a reflected signal into a density signal and stored in, for example, a ROM. Also, the R, G, and B signals of the reflectance from which the original is read are converted into R, G, and B signals having a density corresponding to the amount of recording material (for example, toner amount).

The shading correction units 235 and 237 are the shading correction circuits 235a and 237a and the SRAMs 235b and 237b to perform image stabilization, shading correction, image data input adjustment, and the like.

Pixel stabilization correction is a process of performing a weighted average of pixel data. As described above, in the signal processing circuit, data of R, G, and B are taken as pararell, but since the filter positions of R, G, and B are staggered, Average processing is performed. Shading correction is a process of subtracting and outputting image data written in SRAM as the reference data from the image input data after pixel stabilization correction, and the optical system caused by unevenness due to light distribution characteristics of the light source, secular variation of the light source, contamination of reflector, etc. Non-uniformity, unevenness of sensitivity between each bit of the CCD line sensor is corrected.

The shading correction circuit 235a is connected to the front end of the conversion table 236 to correct the dark level (that is, the dark time output when the fluorescent lamp is turned off), and the shading correction circuit 237a It is connected to the rear end of the conversion table 236 to correct the read output of the white reference plate.

The above points are schematic descriptions of the configuration of the IIT 2.

Next, a schematic configuration of the module configuration of the IPS 3 will be described.

4 is a diagram showing an outline of the module configuration of the IPS 3.

The IPS 3 inputs 8-bit data (256 gradations) from the IIT to the color separation signals of B, G, and R, respectively, and converts them into toner signals of Y, M, C, and K. X) is selected and binarized to be converted to ON / OFF data of the toner signal of the process color and output to the IOT. In this process, various data processing is performed to improve the reproducibility of color, the reproducibility of gradation, and the reproducibility of fineness.

END conversion (Equivalent Neutral Density Conversion) module 301 is a module for adjusting (converting) a color signal obtained by gray balance of an optical read signal of a color original obtained from an IIT, and its level when a gray original is read. In response to (black to white), sixteen surfaces are provided in a conversion table which converts and outputs R, G, and R color decomposition signals in the same gradation as described above.

The color masking module 302 converts the color separation signals of R, G, and R into toner signals of Y, M, and C. The color masking module 302 performs matrix operation or obtains using a table.

The original size detection module 303 performs the original size detection during prescan and the erasure (that is, the edge erase) of the platen color during the original read scan. When the document is inclined or not spherical, the maximum and minimum values X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 are detected and stored.

The color conversion module 305 performs the conversion process according to the color designated in the specific area. If the color conversion area is not the color conversion area according to the area signal input from the area image control module, the color conversion module 305 sends the originals Y, M, and C as they are, and color conversion. Upon entering the area, the specified color is detected and the converted colors Y and MC are sent.

The UCR (Under Color Removal) and the black generation module 305 generate an appropriate amount of K so that color haze does not occur, and perform Y (M) and C (equivalent reduction) processing according to the amount. It prevents mixing of black and re-lowering of low-brightness solid painting.

The spatial filter module 306 generates the halftone removal information and the edge emphasis information by the digital filter and the modulation table, and smooths the edges in the case of photographs or halftone prints, and performs edge enhancement in the case of text or line drawing.

The IOT executes four copy cycles (in the case of four full color copies) by using the Y, M, C, and K process colors in response to the ON / OFF signal from the IRS, but allows the full color original to be reproduced. In order to faithfully reproduce colors logically obtained by signal processing, subtle adjustments considering the characteristics of the IOT are necessary.

The TRC (Tome Reproduetion Control) module 307 is designed to improve reproducibility and edits density adjustment contrast adjustment, negative-positive return, color balance adjustment, text mode, watermark composition, etc. according to the area signal. It has a function.

The accumulation processing module 308 performs the accumulation processing in the main scanning direction by subtracting, supplementing, and supplementing data when reading / writing data using a line buffer. In addition, the data written to the line buffer can be read in the middle or at a slower timing, so that the shift image can be processed in the main scanning direction, iteratively processed by repeated reading, and the mirror image processing can be performed by reading from the opposite side. have. In the sub-scanning direction, the IIT scan speed is changed from 2 times to 1/4 times to accumulate from 50% to 400%.

The screen generator 309 converts the gradation toner signal of the process color into a binarized toner signal of ON / OFF, and outputs it. The digitization and error diffusion processing is performed by comparing the threshold value matrix with the gradation expressed data value. have. The IOT inputs this binarized toner signal and turns on / off the laser beams of approximately 80 µm and 60 µm oval to correspond to 16 dots / mm to reproduce halftone images. In addition, error diffusion processing is performed by detecting and feeding back the error between the ON / OFF binary signal generated by the screen generator and the gray level signal of the input, thereby improving the reproducibility of the gray level when viewed macro.

The area image control module 311 is capable of setting seven rectangular areas and their priorities, and control information of the areas is set corresponding to each area. Examples of control information include color conversion, mono color paper color mode, photographic and character modulated selection information, TRC select information, screen generator select information, and the like. It is used to control the module 304, the UCR module 305, the spatial filter 306, and the TRC module 307.

The edit control module enables the painting process to read a document such as a circle graph and the like, and to apply a designated area having a specific color with a specified color, not a sphere, and to fill commands (0) to (15) with a fill pattern. The processing is set as a command for processing a logo, a logo, a logo, and the like.

As described above, the IPS of this color copying machine first performs END conversion on the original reading signal of the IIT, and then color masks it, and then executes an original document size, frame deletion, and color conversion processing for flat color processing. It is producing and narrowing down to the process color. However, spatial filters, color modulation, TRC, and scale processing process the process color data to reduce the throughput compared to processing the full color data, and make one-third the number of conversion tables used. In addition, the flexibility of adjustment, color reproducibility, and gradation reproducibility are improved.

IOP 4 will be explained next.

5 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image output terminal. In this apparatus, a photorecepter belt is used as a photoconductor, and black (K), magenta (M), cyan (C), and sulfur are used for four-color color. A developing device 404, which is (Y), a transfer roll 406 for conveying the paper to the transfer unit 406, a vacuum tranfer 407 for conveying the paper from the developer 404 to the fixing device 408. ), Paper trays 410 and 412 and paper conveying path 411 are provided, and the three units of the reduction belt, the developing device, and the transfer device are configured to be pulled forward.

The information light obtained by modulating the laser light from the laser light source 40 is irradiated onto the sensing material 41 via the mirror 40d to be exposed, and a latent image is formed. The image formed on the sensing material is developed by the developer 404 to form a toner image. The developing unit 404 is K, M, C, Y and arranged in the positional relationship as shown. This is arranged in consideration of, for example, the relationship between dark attenuation and the characteristics of each toner and the influence of mixed color of different toners on the black toner. However, in the case of full color copy, the driving sequence is Y → C → M → K.

On the other hand, the paper supplied from the two-stage elevator tray 410 and the other two-stage tray 412 is supplied to the transfer apparatus 406 through the conveyance path 411. The transfer device 406 is composed of two rollers, which are disposed in the transfer unit and coupled to a timing chain or belt, and a zero-gripping bar, which will be described later, and which conveys the paper with the gripping bar to transfer the toner image on the sensing material onto the paper. do. In the case of the four-color full color paper, the paper is rotated four times in the transfer unit to transfer images of Y, C, M, and K in sequence. After the transfer, the paper is unwound from the gripping bar, sent from the transfer device to the vacuum transfer device 407, fixed in the fixing device 408, and discharged.

The vacuum conveying apparatus 407 absorbs the speed difference between the transfer apparatus 406 and the fixing apparatus 408, and is synchronizing. In this device, the transfer speed (process speed) is set to 190 mm / sec, and in the case of a flat copy, the fixing speed is 90 mm / sec, so the transfer speed and the fixing speed are different. Process speed is slowing down to ensure fixation while power cannot be allocated to the fuser to achieve 1.5KVA.

Therefore, in the case of small papers such as B5 and A4, the speed of the vacuum transfer device is slowed from 190 mm / sec to 90 mm / sec at the moment when the transferred paper is released from the transfer device 406 and placed in the vacuum transfer device 407. Doing the same.

However, in this device, the device is made compact by making the distance between the transfer device and the fixing device as short as possible. In the case of A3 paper, if the speed of the vacuum transfer device is lowered between the transfer point and the fixing device, the rear end of the paper of A3 is reduced. Is being transferred, and the paper is braked, causing colored gaps. Thus, a baffle plate 408 is provided between the fixing device and the vacuum conveying device. In the case of A3 paper, the baffle plate is lowered down to draw a loop on the paper to lengthen the conveying path, and the vacuum conveying device has the same speed as the transfer speed. After the transfer is completed, the paper leading edge reaches the fixing device so as to absorb the speed difference. In addition, in case of OHP, the thermal conductivity is bad, so the same as in the case of A3 paper.

In addition, in this apparatus, not only the color but also the hump can be copied without compromising productivity. In the case of a bump, fixing is possible even if the toner layer is small and the calorie amount is low. Therefore, the fixing speed is maintained at 190 mm / sec, and the speed down in the vacuum conveying apparatus is not performed. This is similarly performed since the fixing speed does not have to be lowered when the toner layer is one layer like the single color. When the transfer is completed, the toner remaining on the sensing material is scraped off by the cleaner 405.

The UI 5 is stored in an original memory 6 for storing images of originals read by the IIT 2, an edit result memory 7 for storing an image obtained as a result of the desired editing, and an edit result memory 7 An image that is an output of a signal conversion circuit 8 for converting Y, M, C toner color data into R, G, B data, a command memory 6 for storing various menu screens, or a signal conversion circuit 8 Information from the display memory 10, the coordinate input device 13 or the control panel 14, which synthesizes the data and the menu screen from the command memory 9, is notified from the control means 1, and the control means ( 1) a display controller 11 for creating a predetermined display screen by the instruction from 1), a display device 12 composed of a color CRT or color liquid crystal display device, or the like, formed of a touch panel or a transparent member at the time of optical or input It is composed of a digitizer and the like and placed on the front of the display device 12 And it is composed of the pointing device 13, and a control arrangement, such as ten keys, a start key panel 14 that form the soft button display screen and at the same time. The button arranged on the control panel 14 may be a hard button or a soft button.

Since the copier displays an image of the original read by the IIT 2 as described later, an image of the original read by the display device 12 is displayed, so that the screen display of the display device 12 is at least an image of the read original. The displayed area is performed by a bit map process.

The arrangement of the display device 12 with respect to the copier main body is separate from the copier main body when the color liquid crystal display device is used, as well as the flat cover 21 on the upper surface of the copier main body 20 as shown in FIG. 6A. Naturally, the size of the copier main body 21 can be considered to be larger than necessary, so the platen cover (as shown in FIG. 21) may be integrally formed. In addition, in the case of using the color GRT as the display device 12, for example, as shown in FIG. 6C, the support arm 22 is erected and mounted on the side of the copier main body 20 instead of directly attached to it. The control panel 14 may be attached. In this way, the display device 12 may be three-dimensionally attached, and in particular, the display device 12 may be disposed in the upper right corner of the copier main body 20 to attain the compactness of the copier main body 20 and at the same time the display device ( 12) and the height of the control panel 14 is closer to the eye level of the user because it is easy to see and easy to operate.

This will be described later in detail with respect to each part constituting the UI (5).

Next, the operation of each part of the color copying machine will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the power supply of the copier main body is turned on, the control means 1 performs the startup process, and displays the initial screen on the display device 12 when the startup is completed (step S1). The operation is as follows. First, the control means 1 instructs the display controller 11 to display the initial screen. As a result, the display controller 11 reads the pattern of the initial screen from the command memory 9. The pattern of the read-out initial image is stored in the display memory 10, synchronized with the scanning of the display device 12 by the display controller 11, and is read out and displayed on the display device 12. FIG. The initial screen is configured as shown in FIG. 8A, for example. In FIG. 8A, the display device 12 and the control panel 14 are shown as being in contact with each other, but this is determined depending on the configuration of the control panel 14. As shown in FIG. In other words, if the button disposed on the control panel 14 is configured as a soft button, the tone control panel 14 may be arranged side by side with the display device 12. If the button is configured as a hard button, both are shown in FIG. 6C. It will be placed at some distance. 8 is an example of the former.

The screen of the display device 12 is now divided into two areas, the area A and the area B, and in the area A, at least indispensable conditions for copying, namely copy number setting, magnification setting, and copy density setting. The menu for setting the paper size is displayed, and other menus such as editing are displayed in the area (B). In addition, since the image of the original read by the IIT 2 or the image after editing is displayed in the area A as described later, at least the area A needs to be displayed by the bitmap method and the area B is displayed. An inter-bit platen method or a tile method may be used. Moreover, in the figure, the area | region enclosed with letters, such as "equivalent", "fixed", and "change" forms a soft button, and selection of a menu is performed by touching and pressing in the area of the said rectangle.

On the initial screen, the number of copies is set to one, the magnification is equal to 100%, and the copy density and paper size are in the selected state, with the soft button of automatic selection being inverted. In addition, the color mode is set to four colors of colors, and the state is displayed by the predetermined color patch 25 at a predetermined position in the upper left of the screen. The above state is a depot state, that is, a state at the time of initial setting. In addition, this can be done by pressing the copy mode button in the color mode selection area B. When the copy mode button is pressed, a pop-up is opened in the area B. Four colors of color, three colors, and monochrome color are monochrome. A soft button such as the above is displayed and thus can be selected by pressing a desired soft mode button. Other soft button functions will be described later.

The buttons of the control panel 14 are as follows. The centering button is a button for copying by aligning the center of the original with the center of the paper, whereby the original can be accurately copied onto the paper at any position on the platen. In addition, the process of detecting the original size and its center and matching the center of the document to the center of the paper is performed by the IPS 3. The small button is a button used when the small size is used. There are a stack mode and a collation mode. Buttons 0 to 9 are ten keys, and are used when inputting the number of copies, inputting the magnification at the time of change and the like. The check button is used to check the state after editing before copying when using the edit mode as described later. The Claire button is a button used when resetting the number of copies, etc. input by Tenkey, and the all Claire button is used when canceling all set functions and returning to the default state.

The start button is a button used when executing a copy. Although not shown, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that an emergency copy button, an information button, or the like may be provided.

When the initial screen is displayed in step S1, it is determined next whether or not an operation for color editing is requested in step S2. That is, the control means 1 performs the process of step S4 or less when it detects that the edit button of the embedding | combining composition etc. of the area | region B is pressed on the screen of FIG. 8A, but otherwise, the normal of step S3 is performed. After the copy process is performed, the process returns to step S2 and waits until the next operation is instructed.

The normal copying process of step S3 is performed as follows.

Now, for example, when the screen of Fig. 8a is displayed, when the user puts an A4 size original on the platen and presses "3" of Tenkey, the button information is passed from the control panel 14 to the display controller 11. Notified to the control means 1. Since the control means 1 recognizes the screen currently being displayed, even if the notified button information is set to the number of copies, the number of copies is set to the display controller 11 at the same time. ". In response to this instruction, the display controller 11 reads the pattern "3" from the command memory 9 and writes it to a predetermined position of the display memory. In this way, the copy setting number " 3 " is displayed on the screen as indicated by 26 in Fig. 8B.

When the start button is pressed in the state of the screen of FIG. 8B, the button information is notified from the control panel 14 to the control means 1 via the display controller 11. As a result, the control means 1 drives the IIT 2 and reads the document. The image data obtained by the IIT 2 is taken into the IPS 3, predetermined image processing is performed, and at the same time, the document size is detected, and the detected document size is notified to the control means 1.

The control means 1 detects a tray in which paper of the same size and the same direction as the original size is stored, and instructs the IOT 4 in the tray. At this time, when there is no paper placed in the same direction as the original, the control means 1 instructs the display controller 11 to display a message requesting to set the paper in the same direction as the original.

The IOT 4 receives the start of operation from the control means 1 and instructions for using a specific tray, and is supplied with image data processed by the IPS 3. Thereby, the IOT 4 repeats the same operation three times and copies three four-color colors. At this time, the IOP 4 notifies the control means 1 of the number of copies to end each time one copy is finished. Thereby, the control means 1 judges how many copies are currently being made, and instructs the display controller 11 to display the summary. This allows the display screen to display how many copies are currently being made, as indicated by reference numeral 27 in FIG. 8C. In addition, since the process of displaying the said number is as above-mentioned, it abbreviate | omits description.

Next, the case of changing the magnification will be described.

The magnification value can be arbitrarily set by the "shift" button.For example, when copying a B5 size document to A4 size paper, copying an A4 size document to A3 size paper, When copying onto paper of a different standard size, the magnification is uniquely determined, so it is inconvenient to perform magnification setting by the "variation" button at each time. The button used in such a case is equipped with a "fixed" button.

This eliminates the need to set magnification with the "variate" button at that time.

When the "fixed" button is pressed in the screen shown in FIG. 8A, as shown in FIG. 8D, the "equal" button returns from the inverted display to the normal display state, becomes non-selected, and the "fixed" button is inverted and selected. At the same time, for example, as indicated by reference numeral 28 in the figure, the first indication is that the copy is A3 size from the A4 size document, and the magnification value is displayed in the column of magnification. Each time the "fixed" button is pressed, the fixed magnification value is scrolled and displayed at the position indicated by reference numeral 28 in the figure. Therefore, the user can press the "fixed" button until the desired fixed magnification is displayed. The fixed magnification may be set in the popup screen. That is, when the "fixed" button is pressed, various soft magnification soft buttons are displayed as a pop-up screen, and the pop-up screen is set by pressing a soft button of the desired fixed magnification.

Next, I will discuss "variation". "Variation" is a function that can independently set the magnification in the X direction, that is, the main scan direction and the Y direction, that is, the sub-scan direction. When the "shift" button is pressed, the "shift" button is inverted as shown in FIG. 8E, and the selected state is displayed. In this state, if you enter 120 as the Tenkey, the magnification in the X and Y directions will be 120 as shown in the drawing. However, if you set only the magnification in the X direction, as shown in Fig. 8f, the "Random <X>" button is pressed. Press to enter the selected state and enter the desired magnification value with the tenkey. 8F shows a state where 70 is input by the tenkey. The same applies to setting only the magnification in the Y direction. 8G shows a screen in the case where the magnification in the Y direction is set to 70%. Press the start button to get a copy of the set magnification.

8h and 8i are screen examples in which the copy density and the user size are changed from the defold state. In FIG. 8h, the copy density is set to "normal", and in FIG. 8i, the paper "A4 horizontal value" It is set.

As described above, in the UI of the copier, basic copying conditions can be set by directly pressing a soft button in a desired mode, except for numeric input operation of Tenkey, and having excellent operability.

Although the soft button has been described above, the button provided in the control panel 14 will be described next.

8j is a diagram showing a state in which the centering button is pressed.

The centering button is inverted to indicate that it is in the selected state, and at the same time, the letters " centering " The sensor can be released by pressing the "Centering" button again or by pressing the "All Claire" button. However, even if the centering function is released with the "Allclair" button, all settings will be deported. In case of deterioration, it is supposed to press "centering" button again.

The same step is applied to the socket button. Since there is a matching mode in the socket, for example, when the "Soter" button is first pressed, it is in stack mode as shown in Fig. 8k, and the next time the "Soter" button is pressed, as shown in Fig. 8l. After entering the matching mode and pressing the third time, the Soter mode is released. In addition, even when the small mode is selected, the indication of the gist on the upper portion of the area A is the same as that indicated by the symbol 29 in FIG. 8K and the symbol 30 in FIG. 8L.

The check button is as follows.

This check function displays the image read out by the IIT 2 in the area A of the display screen and checks which copy image appears before the actual copy. This is a unique feature of this copier. The operation from when the "check" button is pressed until the image of the original is displayed is as follows.

If the " check " button is pressed while the original is placed on the platen, the button information is notified to the control means 1 via the display controller 11. The control means 1 interprets the received button information, determines the processing to be performed, and instructs each part of the copier to perform the processing. First, the control means 1 causes the IIT 2 to read the document. The obtained three-color image data of R, G, and B are input to the IPS 3, supplied to the document memory 6 from the output terminal of the END conversion circuit 301 in FIG. 4, and stored once.

The stored image data is read out, read out, and written into the display memory 10 so that the image of the original enters the area A of the display screen under the control of the display controller 11.

In the display memory 10, a pattern of a menu displayed in the area B in the command memory 9 is written. The image pattern of the area A and the menu pattern of the area B written in the display memory 10 are read out in synchronization with the scanning of the display device 12 by the control of the display controller 11 and shown in FIG. The display is performed as shown. At this time, since the IOT 4 does not operate, copying is not performed.

When the start button is pressed in the state of FIG. 8 (m), the control means I drives the IIT 2, the IPS 3, and the IOT 4 to perform the above-described copying operation.

In the above description, the data amount of image data is as follows. Now, if the display device 12 uses a 14-inch size, the number of pixels is about 640 x 480, and the screen of the display device 12 is divided into an area A and an area B and displays an original image. If the number of pixels in the area A becomes less than that, but the A3 size original is read by the IIT 2, the number of pixels is about 5000 x 7000, so the A3 size original is read as usual and the entire image is read. In the case of displaying in the area A, it is necessary to filter out the image data to one hundredth or less. As a method for this purpose, FIG. 1 shows the capacity of the original memory 6 as the capacity capable of storing the total number of pixels obtained by reading the A3 size, which is the largest size original that can be read by this copier, as usual. The method of performing pixel subtracting when writing to the drawing, FIG. 2 shows that the document is read by the IIT 2, for example, by one scanning line, and the number of pixels read in advance is reduced and written to the display memory 10. FIG. In this regard, a method of thinning out a third method and a third method of encoding the image data of a document obtained by reading out with high efficiency and compressing the amount of image data can be considered. Comparing these methods, the first method requires a large memory capacity, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost. However, as described below, when zooming in and displaying a part of the original image with a pushbutton, it is possible to observe an image as read. . Therefore, the editing area can be instructed with high accuracy, and according to the second method, the degree of the editing area is inferior to that of the first method, but the memory capacity of the original memory 6 may be 1/2 of the former and read. The scanning time of the IIT 2 can be halved, and the check processing can be performed more quickly than the first method. According to the third method, since the data amount can be made significantly smaller than the first and second methods, the capacity of the original memory is at least good, but it takes time for the encoding process and the encoding process.

In this embodiment, the second method is adopted with emphasis on cost and processing time. If reading is performed by stripping two scan lines or stripping three scan lines by four scan lines, the amount of image data is reduced, and therefore the capacity of the document memory 6 is at least reduced. Moreover, since the operation time of the IIT 2 may also be short, quick check can be performed.

However, as described below, the setting accuracy when setting an edit point or an editing area is deteriorated. Therefore, how many scan lines are used to perform a read-out operation depends on the memory capacity, the speed of check processing, and the setting accuracy of the editing point or editing area. You may decide in consideration of this.

As described above, when the check button is pressed, the entire image of the original is displayed in the area A as shown in FIG. 8m, but the pixels displayed in the area A are taken out from the read pixel, and thus the outline of the original image is shown. It is just to indicate. Thus, the thumb button is provided for the purpose of enlarging the image displayed in the area A and observing a part of the image in detail. The control means I instructs the display controller 11 to enlarge the image by means of the spum button information when the hum button is pressed in the state of FIG. 8M. As a result, the display controller 11 reads out data of a part of the image without writing out from the document memory 6, writes it to the display memory 10, and reads in synchronization with the scanning of the display device 12 to thereby perform the eighth meter. As shown in the figure, part of the original image is displayed enlarged in the area A. FIG. The image data read out to the display memory 10 when the push button is pressed is image data stored in a predetermined area on the memory coordinates, for example, in a predetermined range at the origin, but it is necessary to observe an enlarged image of a desired range. In this case, press the area designation button and enter the desired coordinate value with the ten key.

Now, if the area designation button is pressed and, for example, 200 and 300 are input by the tenkey, the control means 1 displays the sequential image data from the coordinates 200 and 300 of the original memory 6 to the display memory with respect to the display controller 11. Follow the instructions to fill in. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the coordinate values of the input document memory can be enlarged and displayed so as to be located at the center of the area A. FIG.

As described above, not only the copy image can be confirmed in advance by pressing the check button but also a part of the original image can be enlarged and displayed as necessary.

The above is the process of normal copying in step S3 of FIG. 7 and the operation in the case of editing next will be described.

Now, for example, when the editing button described in the area B is pressed in the state shown in Fig. 8A, the control means 1 determines that there is a color editing operation and performs the processing of step S4 or below. In the area B, " move " for moving the desired image range to a desired position, " smooth " for performing continuous color combining for synthesizing the entire right half of the original or the desired portion with the left half, or the desired image of any original "Set-In Synthesis", which combines a range into a desired position of another original, and a desired range of originals is specified with a marking pen of a predetermined color, and a trimming "extraction" mask "Delete" or the like is edited in the designated range. A soft button of "color creation" for arranging marker editing, color conversion, application, and the like is arranged. Naturally, other editing functions may be provided. In addition, since each button of a copy mode, a prism, and an area designation was demonstrated above, description is abbreviate | omitted.

Now, if the "color creation" button is pressed while the original is placed on the platen (step S4), the original image is displayed in the area A as shown in Fig. 9A and the area B is displayed. Shows a popup of " colorcreation. &Quot; In other words, when the " color creation " button is pressed, the control means 1 performs the same processing as the above-described check processing to display the original image in the area A, and simultaneously to pop up the color creation to the display controller 11. Instructs the display of the screen.

As a result, the display controller 11 calls the pattern of the pop-up screen instructed by the command memory 9, writes it to the display memory 10, and reads in synchronization with the scanning of the display apparatus 12, as shown in FIG. 9A. The screen is displayed. In addition, the "color mode" button arranged in the area B is a button for selecting four colors, three colors, and one color, and "paint" is a function of applying a designated range to a specified color. , "Full Color Mode" is a function to register a color used for color conversion, "Color Balance" is a function to adjust color, and "Color Conversion" is a function to convert a specified color on the original to another designated color. "Sharpness" is a function of adjusting the sharpness of the image. "Cancel" is a function of canceling the selected menu, the set edit point, and the edit area, whereby the menu, edit point, and edit area can be reset. Therefore, for example, when the cancel button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 9a, the color creation mode is canceled, and therefore the screen immediately before that, in this case, the screen of FIG. 8a is returned. "Selection End" is a function of determining parameters with a selected menu, input points and / or an editing area, and when the selection end button is pressed at the stage where all necessary settings are completed, the image in which the editing process is set as described below. It is displayed in the area A of this display screen.

Thus, if color conversion is selected on the screen of FIG. 9A, the process below the stem S8 of FIG. 7 is performed. That is, when the color conversion button is pressed, a screen display as shown in Fig. 9B is displayed, and a message for prompting the designation of the color before conversion is displayed in the area B. As shown by the arrow 50 in FIG. 9B on this screen, the color before conversion is selected on the screen by an appropriate stylus (step S9), and the coordinate values of the selected position are accepted by the control means 1. The ground control means 1 instructs the display controller 11 and displays the screen shown in FIG. 9C. At this time, the point indicated by the sign 60 is displayed at the position indicated by the stylus, and the edit point indicated can be clearly recognized. The operation for displaying the display point is as follows.

When the control means 1 accepts the coordinate values of the edited point indicated, in this case, the point indicating the color before editing, the control controller 1 issues the coordinate value and point display of the edited point to the display controller 11. As a result, the display controller 11 reads the pattern of points from the command memory 9 and writes them to the positions of the given coordinate values of the display memory 9. As a result, the edit point can be displayed in a predetermined color. If the cancel button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 9B without selecting the color before conversion, the color selection is canceled and the screen is returned to the previous screen, that is, the screen of FIG. 9A, and when the selection end button is pressed, the screen returns to the initial selection screen of FIG. 8A.

In the area B of the screen of FIG. 9C, an arbitrary color button is displayed in addition to being displayed as a palette of colors registered in advance. If the color of the converting part is present in the palette, the palette of the desired color is selected, but when the palette is selected, the screen is automatically shifted to 9b, and when the end selection button is pressed on this screen, as shown in Fig. 9e, the area (A) In the image B after the completion of editing, that is, the image in which color conversion is completed in this case, a small-diameter message is displayed in the area B, respectively.

The operation is as follows. When the control means 1 detects that the selection end button is pressed, the control means 1 reads out the Mars data stored in the original memory 6, and is supplied to the color masking circuit 302 (see FIG. 4) of the IPS 3 and simultaneously supplied with the IPS. In (3), the color conversion process is executed by giving the data of the color before conversion and the data of the color after conversion.

The image data of Y, M, and C after color conversion are branched immediately before the screen generator circuit 309 and stored in the edit result memory 7. As a result of the editing, the image data stored in the memory 7 is read out by the display controller 11 and read out, and the signal conversion circuit 8 converts the toner color data of Y, M, and C to R, G, and B data. Is written into the display memory 10.

In addition, the display controller 11 reads out the pattern of the predetermined message shown in FIG. 9E from the command memory 9 by the instruction from the control means 11 and writes it to the display memory 10. The image pattern and the message pattern written in the display memory 10 are read out in synchronization with the scanning of the display device 12 and displayed in the areas A and B of the display device 12. At this time, since the IOT 4 does not operate, copying is not performed.

In addition, in the above description, the capacity of the editing result memory 7 is the same as that of the original memory 6. Although only four types of registration colors are shown in Fig. 9C, it is a matter of course that more colors can be registered.

The above is the operation when selecting the color after conversion from the palette, but if you want to convert to a color other than the palette, press the arbitrary color button to create the desired color. In other words, when the random color button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 9c, the display of the area B is as shown in FIG. 9d, and on this screen, the desired length of each color of the graph is indicated by the stylus for each of red, green, and blue. By instructing, the desired color can be set and displayed at the position indicated by the sign 51 of the set color.

That is, for example, if the red rod graph is as shown in FIG. 9f, if the point P of the same drawing is instructed by a stylus (not shown) at this time, the coordinate information of the point P is the coordinate input device 13. The control means 1 is notified to the control means 1 via the display controller 11, whereby the control means 1 interprets the meaning of the coordinate information and recognizes that the color is created after the conversion. A predetermined mark as shown by the "x" microphone 61 in Fig. Is displayed at the indicated position and the length of the bar graph is changed as shown in the same drawing (h). Similarly, if the position of the point P 'is indicated in the state of FIG. 9f, the predetermined mark 61 is displayed at the position of the point P' as shown in FIG. 9i, and immediately after that shown in FIG. 9j. Likewise, the length of the bar graph changes.

The same applies to the bar graphs of the following colors.

In this way, the color after conversion can be registered. In FIG. 9D, a state where 188 is input to the enemy is shown, and the color at this time is displayed at the position indicated by the reference numeral 51 in the figure.

In this way, when the setting end button is pressed after the color after conversion is set, the above-described operation is performed to display the screen of FIG. 9E, that is, the image after the completion of editing and the predetermined message. In other words, the image after the end of editing and a predetermined message are displayed. If the cancel button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 9d, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. 9c, which is the screen immediately before that.

As shown in FIG. 9E, the screen after the completion of editing is observed, and if the desired edit is performed, the conversion may be terminated. Therefore, the end button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 9E. When the end button is pressed, the set condition is registered and the screen moves to the screen of Fig. 9A. Therefore, if there is an edit to be desired other than color conversion, desired editing can be performed as described above. However, as a result of observing the image after the end of editing in FIG. 9E, if the desired editing is not performed, the change button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 9E. When the change button is pressed, the data of the color before conversion and the color after conversion, which have been set so far, are erased and transferred to the screen shown in Fig. 9B, and the color before conversion and the color after discoloration are set again.

The above is the processing of Steps S7 to S14 of FIG. 7 and when the start button is pressed after the completion of these processing and the parameters such as the color before conversion and the color after conversion are registered, the control means 1 returns to the IIT 2. Is executed as usual, the IPS 3 is given the parameters set for editing in addition to the parameters such as the magnification, and the editing processing as set is executed, and the IOT is instructed by the tray, the number of copies, and the color mode. Let's do it. As a result, an image on which the desired editing is performed is obtained as a hard copy.

In the above description, color conversion is taken as an example, but the same applies to other edits. For example, if the paint button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 9A, a message for prompting the setting of the application area and the setting of the application color is displayed in the area B. FIG. It is performed as in the case of the above-mentioned color conversion of a color. The setting of the paint area is performed by instructing the area of the original image displayed in the area A with a straight stylus. If the area is spherical, two diagonal points may be indicated as in the prior art, and arbitrary closed curves may be set by tracing the screen with a stylus.

When setting the editing area, especially when setting an arbitrary closed curve, the degree of area setting becomes important, but in this case, by setting the desired range of the original image in an enlarged state by using the thumb button and the area designating button, High accuracy area setting can be performed.

The set editing area is displayed on the screen in a predetermined color. That is, the control means 1 determines the editing area from the input coordinate values and gives the display controller 11 the coordinate area of the editing area to instruct the display of the editing area. As a result, the display controller 11 can display the editing area set on the screen.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible to those skilled in the art.

As apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an image of an original read by IIT is displayed on a display device, and an edit point or an edit area is set directly on the screen of the display device. Therefore, since the edit point and the edit area can be set while the original is placed on the platen, it is not necessary to move the edit point on the platen as in the prior art, and the deterioration of the setting degree accompanying the movement of the original can be prevented. In addition, since the image shown in the figure already includes skewing of the IU, the setting accuracy is not deteriorated by the skewing of the IU as in the prior art.

Since the user only needs to place the original on the platen, there is no need to move the original from the editing pad to the platen as in the prior art, and the operation is excellent. The original can be used for both standard and atypical forms, and the editing area can be set with the platen wing placed directly on the book.

Since the set edit point and edit area are displayed on the screen, the user can recognize the edit point position and the edit area position accepted, and can easily determine the position of the edit point and the need to fine-tune and reset the edit area. .

Since the image obtained as a result of the editing can be observed on the display screen, it is not necessary to perform test printing as in the prior art, and therefore no expensive color toner is wasted.

Claims (11)

An image recording system for editing and copying an image of an original surface, comprising: an image input terminal (2) having means for converting an image into an image data signal, and said image input signal for converting the image data signal into an output image data signal; An image processing system 3 coupled to an image input terminal 2, an image output terminal 4 coupled to the image processing system 3 for generating an image copy from the output image data signal, and the image processing system A display device 12 coupled to (3) and having a display screen, means for selectively displaying an image pattern corresponding to at least a part of the image from an original surface on a first area of the display screen, A user interface 5 comprising means 14 for inputting commands for operating said image recording system at a central control station, said image processing system 3 and said image output stage; And a control means (1) for controlling the horse (4) and the user interface (5). The image recording according to claim 1, wherein the screen of the display device (12) is divided into at least a first area (A) displaying an image of an original and a second area (B) displaying a command menu. system. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein coordinate input means (13) is arranged on the front surface of the display device (12) so that editing points and / or edit areas can be set directly on the image of the original displayed on the display device. An image recording system, characterized in that. 4. The image recording system according to claim 3, wherein the set edit point and / or edit area is displayed superimposed on the image of the original. 2. The user interface (5) according to claim 1, wherein the user interface (5) includes a first memory (6) in which image data of an original obtained by the image input terminal (2) is stored, and the image data of the original is intact or compressed. And an image recording system stored in said first memory. An image recording system according to claim 1, wherein when said first predetermined operation is performed in said user interface (5), said image input terminal (2) reads an image of an original for every predetermined scanning line. 6. The image recording system according to claim 5, wherein, when said first operation is performed, image data stored in said first memory is read out after every predetermined image data. The image data stored in the first memory (6) is read as it is, provided that the second predetermined operation is performed in the user interface (5). An image recording system characterized by being displayed in area (A) of 1. The image data stored in the first memory (6) is supplied to the image processing system (3) according to claim 5, provided that a predetermined third operation has been performed in the user interface (5). After the processing set in this image processing system is performed, it is stored in the second memory provided in the user interface 5 as it is, or is compressed and stored and read out and displayed on the first area A of the display device 12. And an image recording system. An image recording system according to claim 1, wherein said display device is a color cathode raytube. An image recording system according to claim 1, wherein said display device is a color display device.

Images