JPH01296771A - Picture edit device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operating efficiency of a copying machine and the edit efficiency by providing a device exclusive for edit separately. CONSTITUTION:A data of an edit area is generated by an external edit device B provided separately from a picture forming device body A and the data is written in a nonvolatile storage device 43 loaded to the external edit device B. Then after the nonvolatile storage device 43 is removed from the external edit device B, it is loaded to the picture forming device main body A and the data of the edit area generated by the external edit device B is transferred to the picture forming device main body A via the nonvolatile storage device 43. The picture forming device main body A sets the edit condition based on the data and applies copying. Thus, the operating efficiency of the picture forming device is increased and since the external edit device is used at a location facilitating the edit, the working efficiency is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine that is capable of editing images, and particularly relates to an image editing apparatus and method that facilitates the task of specifying an editing area. .

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, instead of simply copying the original image, it has become possible to specify and extract areas of the original image.

Copying machines that perform image processing such as shading have been developed.

In such a copying machine capable of image editing, it is necessary to specify an area to be edited during the above-mentioned image editing.

When specifying this editing area, a manual coordinate device called a digitizer is often used. This digitizer has a width corresponding to the width of the original, and by placing the original on the digitizer and specifying the area to be edited, the coordinate data of the editing area is imported into the copying machine. ing. Generally, this digitizer is integrated with the platen cover of the copying machine main body, is pivotally attached to the copying machine main body, and can be opened and closed with respect to the platen glass on the top surface of the copying machine main body.

Since the digitizer is integrated with the platen cover of the copying machine main body in this way, there is an effect that actual copying can be performed continuously after specifying the editing area.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, if the digitizer is integrated with the platen cover of the copying machine main body in this way, problems may occur.

When setting editing conditions, a lot of work is required, such as inputting the coordinates that define the editing area, specifying the type of li collection, and specifying the color in the case of a color copying machine, which makes it difficult to perform the actual copying process. It takes quite a long time before □. As a result, even though they are not actually making copies, they end up monopolizing the copying machine for long periods of time, which is a nuisance to other users who are just trying to make copies. Put it away. In addition, setting the editing conditions must be done in the location where the copying machine is installed, which leads to poor working posture, and the inability to have necessary materials at hand, which reduces work efficiency. there were.

The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to increase the operating rate of a copying machine and the efficiency of editing work by separately providing a device dedicated to editing.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the image editing device of the present invention has an editing device for inputting an editing area pivotably mounted on the upper surface of the image forming device main body so as to be openable and closable with respect to the image forming device main body, and the image forming device Operation keys that do not involve area specification are arranged on the operation panel of the main body, and operation keys that are directly used for specifying the area are arranged on the operation panel of the editing device, and further, the image forming apparatus main body described above An external editing device is provided separately from the image forming device, and interface means for detachably connecting a non-volatile storage device capable of storing an editing area is provided to both the image forming device main body and the external editing device. shall be.

Further, in the image editing method of the present invention, an editing device for inputting an editing area is pivotally attached to the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body so as to be freely openable and closable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, and the editing device is mounted separately from the image forming apparatus main body. An external editing device is provided, data in an editing area is created by the external editing device, data in the editing area is read into a nonvolatile storage device attached to the external editing device, and then the nonvolatile storage device is read into the nonvolatile storage device attached to the external editing device. By detaching the external editing device from the external editing device and then attaching it to the image forming device main body, the data in the editing area created by the external editing device can be transferred to the image forming device main body side via the nonvolatile storage device. Features.

[Effect]

In the present invention, the data of the editing area is created by an external editing device provided separately from the main body of the image forming apparatus. This data is written to a non-volatile storage device attached to the external editing device. Next, this nonvolatile storage device is detached from the external editing device and then attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Then, the data of the editing area created by the external editing device is transferred to the main body of the image forming apparatus via the nonvolatile storage device. On the image forming apparatus main body side, editing conditions are set based on this data, and then copying is performed.

〔Example〕

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, features of the present invention will be specifically described based on examples with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the relationship between a copying machine to which a color image editing device of the present invention is applied and an external editing device provided separately from the copying machine.

In the figure, l indicates an image input device for reading an image of a document. As shown in FIG. 2, this human-powered image device 1 illuminates an original (not shown) placed on a platen glass 1a with a light source 1b, and reflects light from the original on mirrors 1c, ld, and le. The lens 1f forms an image on the image sensor 1g, and the image sensor 1g
I am trying to get an image signal from. The light source 1b and the mirror IC are attached to the full-speed carriage 1h, and the mirror 1
d and le are attached to a half-speed carriage 11. Then, move the full speed carriage 1h to the platen glass 1a.
The half-speed carriage 11 is moved in the same direction at half the speed of the full-speed carriage 1h to read the image on the document.

The image signal from the human-powered image device 1 is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter 2. Halftone images such as photographic originals are converted to digital signals, and binary images such as text originals are converted to digital signals through a dither processing circuit 3. It is supplied to the image processing circuit 5 via the value converting circuit 4. Connected to this image processing circuit 5 is a RAM (Random Access Memory) table 6 in which function codes indicating processing types such as deletion, extraction one-color conversion, and back shading are stored in advance. Each of the above-mentioned processes is performed according to the function code read from the machine.

The image signal processed by the image processing circuit 5 is supplied to an image output device 7 such as a laser printer and output as an image. That is, copying is performed with the original image edited.

In this embodiment, the image input device l separates the original image into original densities of red, green, and blue, and then converts it into color material densities of yellow, magenta, and cyan. The black color material density is generated from the material density. Then, the yellow color provided on the image output device 7,
In each of the magenta, cyan, and black recording sections, a dither method is used to change the area of output dots for each color, thereby outputting a full-color image with intermediate tones.

Further, a standard color table 8 and a registered color table 9 are connected to the image processing circuit 5, and each color table 8.9 contains, for example, each color material density of the color to be output during the color conversion. The corresponding dot pattern is stored.

The standard color table 8 is made up of ROM, and the dot pattern is fixed, but the registered color table 9 is made up of RA.
M, and the dot pattern can be changed from the outside as will be described later.

Further, IO is a bitmap memory for storing an editing area. A drawing device 11 is connected to this bitmap memory 10. This drawing device 11 is provided to write data into the bitmap memory 10 at high speed, and is usually a drawing-dedicated integrated circuit such as a CRTC (cathode ray tube controller), for example, )1063484 (@Hitachi Seisakusho). circuit is used.

A CPU (central processing unit) 12 is connected to this drawing device 11 .

In addition, the output side of the bitmap memory 10 and the drawing device 11
A gate 13 is connected between them. this gate 1
3 is open when the drawing device 11 is in the manual mode, so that the drawing device 11 can refer to the contents of the bitmap memory 10.

The CPU 12 writes function codes to the RAM table 6, controls the drawing device 11, etc.
Based on instructions from the digitizer 14 that specify the area of the document to be edited and the type of processing, the contents of the RAM table 6 are rewritten, and instructions are given to the drawing device 11 as to which area of the bitmap memory 10 to fill out. It has become. Note that details of the digitizer 14 will be described later.

The RAM table 6 includes the above-mentioned bitmap memory 10.
or the output of the CPU 12 is selected by the multiplexer 15 and supplied as an address signal,
The output of the RAM table 6 is supplied to the image processing circuit 5 as a function code indicating the type of processing. Further, a gate 16 is provided between the RAM table 6 and the CPU 12, and is opened except during the reading period of the original image.
The contents of the RAM table 6 can be rewritten using the PU12.

The CPU 12 also has a non-volatile memo for storing registered color data, etc. 717. An editing condition memory 18 for storing editing conditions for the #B collection area is connected. These notes! Writing and reading processing for j17 and j18 is also performed by the CPU 12.

The non-volatile memory 17 stores the relationship between the color code and the density of each coloring material. For example, in the relationship shown in Table 1, values Yn, M+ corresponding to the density of each coloring material of yellow, magenta, and cyan are stored. ,, C, (n = 1 to 16)
are recorded in address order. That is, -3 bytes are recorded per color.

(Hereinafter, blank space) Table 1 If you change the combination of density data of each of these color materials,
Different colors can be assigned to the same color code. In this embodiment, for example, 24 codes from 008 to 1711 (H indicates hexadecimal display) are assigned as standard color codes, and 3 are assigned as registered color codes.
Sixteen numbers from 0H to 3Fll are allocated.

Furthermore, the CPU 12 includes an operation panel section 19. which allows the user to instruct copying operations. A copying mechanism control unit 20 for controlling the operation of the copying machine receives the registered color data from an external I/O.
An interface circuit (integrated circuit) that writes to and reads from the C (integrated circuit) card 30.
21 (shown as an I/F circuit in the figure) is connected.

The output of the counter 22 is supplied as an address to the standard color table 8, and the output of the counter 22 or the output of the CPU 12 is selectively supplied to the registered color table 9 by a multiplexer 23.

The counter 22 is composed of a horizontal scanning counter section that is driven by a video clock synchronized with the reading of pixels during main scanning in the human-powered image device 1, and a vertical scanning counter section that is driven every time the main scanning ends. Further, a gate 24 is provided between the registered color table 9 and the CPU 12, and is opened when a registered color is written.

The above-mentioned digitizer 14 is a type of coordinate input device, and for example, has a flat surface the size of an A3 size paper, and obtains the position pressed with a pen or the like as coordinate data. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, there are provided an area designation area E for designating an editing area and a function designation area EF for designating the type of processing. A plurality of keys 14a=14h are formed in the function designation area EF in correspondence with the type of processing, etc. In this embodiment, the keys 14a and 14h are an area specification start key, an area set key, a color conversion key, and an extraction key, respectively.

It corresponds to the end key, clear key, edit condition read key, and edit condition write key. Note that, although there are actually many other keys provided, only some of the keys are shown to simplify the explanation.

Then, when area specification area E is pressed, the CPU
12 processes the coordinate data as area information, and when any of the keys 14a to 14h in the function designation area EF is pressed, the coordinate data is processed as function information.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the digitizer 14 is provided integrally with a platen cover IJ that covers the platen glass 1a of the image input device 1 in an openable and closable manner.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an operation panel section 19 is provided on the front side of the platen cover lj, and this operation panel section 19 includes a power switch 19a, a power switch 19a, and a Numeric keypad 19b, clear key 19C,
Start key 196. Stop key 19e, ) Ray selection key 19f, Original size key 19g, Reduction ratio key 1
9 hours.

Copy density key 191. A document type key 19j and the like are provided, and a copy mode key 19 specific to a color copying machine is further provided with a saturation key 19β9 color adjustment key 19m and the like. The copy mode key 19k is a key for switching between full color copying and monochrome copying.

As described above, in this embodiment, keys that do not involve specifying an area are arranged on the operation panel section 19 on the side of the copying machine main body A, and keys that are used directly for specifying an area are arranged on the digitizer 14 side. .

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned copying machine will be explained using color conversion as an example.

When the power is turned on, first, the registered color data stored in advance at a specific address in the non-volatile memory 17 is transferred to the CPU 12.
For example, the threshold value matrix table shown in FIG.
A dot pattern is generated for each color.

For example, the color yellow that corresponds to a certain registered color code,
Magenta and cyan density data is r18J.

If rlOJJOJ, the yellow, magenta, and cyan dot patterns are as shown in Fig. 4(b) and (C).
.

The result is as shown in (6). These patterns are combined when outputting an image, which in this example becomes orange. Note that this density data combination corresponds to one color code.

At this time, the gate 24 is opened, and these dot patterns are written into the registered color table 9 by the CPU 12 via the gate 24.

The density data of each coloring material in the nonvolatile memory 17 can be changed by operating the operation panel section 19 by setting the copying machine to a special mode described below before copying.

For example, the numeric keypad 19 provided on the operation panel section 19
By turning on the power switch 19a while pressing the "l" key in b, a special mode is set in which each key provided on the operation panel section 19 is given a function different from its original function. Using these keys, values corresponding to the densities of yellow, magenta, and cyan colorants can be changed.

In this special mode state, for example, the numeric keypad 19b
By pressing the "6" key, the density data can be changed manually, and the value of the density data can be increased or decreased using the reduction ratio key 19h. This operation is repeated in the order of yellow, magenta, and cyan to change the density data of each of the plurality of color codes.

In order to cancel this special mode, it is sufficient to first turn off the power switch 19a and then turn on the power switch 19a as usual.

Next, the original to be edited is placed on the digitizer 14, and the area to be edited is designated. For example, first the area specification start key 141 of the function specification area El- of the digitizer 14 is pressed, and then the area specification area Ei is pressed to input the coordinates defining the editing area. When the area set key 14b is pressed after specifying the editing area, the coordinate data of the specified editing area is stored in a register (not shown) in the CPU 12 or in the editing condition memo. Next, press the color conversion key 140 in the function specification area EP of the digitizer 14, and then press the standard color specification 1114.
i or the registered color designation section 14" to designate the desired color.

For example, the standard color designation section 141 is divided into 24 sections, and the registered color designation section 14 is divided into 16 sections. When any of the sections is pressed, the CPU 12 processes the coordinate data as a color code.

After specifying the color, the type of processing, in this case "
The data of "color conversion" and the code of the color to be output are
It is stored in the register in U12 or the editing condition memory 18 in correspondence with the coordinate data of the editing area.

By repeating the above operations, it is possible to specify a plurality of editing areas and to set different processing types for each editing area. Note that these multiple editing areas can be applied to the same manuscript, or may be made to correspond to different manuscripts.

Next, this document is placed on the platen glass la of the image input device l, and the start key 196 is pressed to start image reading.

In this embodiment, prior to actual image reading, a portion of the bitmap memory 10 corresponding to the editing area is filled in based on the previously input coordinate data of the editing area. That is, the bit of the address corresponding to the inside of the editing area of the bitmap memory 10 is set to a predetermined state, for example, "1".
”. These drawings are performed at high speed by the drawing device 11 using a known algorithm based on instructions from the CPU 12.

At this time, the editing type data is also written at the same time.

Next, the RAM table 6 is set. That is, the correspondence between the function number and the actual processing type is set.

When the filling of the area is completed, the actual copying operation starts, and the scanning optical system provided in the image input device l is moved to read the image of the original. The signal obtained from the image sensor ff1l during this reading is sent to the A/D converter 2. The signal is supplied to an image processing circuit 5 via a dither processing circuit 3 or a binarization circuit 4.

In synchronization with reading this image, the bitmap memory l
O is read out, and the readout output is supplied to the RAM table 6 as an address signal via the multiplexer 15. Reading from the bitmap memory 10 is performed by a method called DMA (direct memory access).

In other words, when scanning requires high-speed memory operation,
Gates 13 and 16 are closed by a DMA control signal generated in synchronization with document scanning, and multiplexer 1 is closed.
5, the address of the RAM table 6 is switched to the bitmap memory 10 side, and reading from the bitmap memory 10 is performed directly by a DMA control circuit (not shown).

As described above, the CPU 12 has previously written in the RAM table 6 the correspondence between the above-mentioned function number and the function code representing the type of processing.

Therefore, the function code is read bit by bit from the RAM table 6 in correspondence with the filled-in area of the bitmap memory 10.

In the image processing circuit 5, processing corresponding to the function code from the RAM table 6 is performed.

That is, the standard color table 8 or the registered color table 9 is supplied with the output of the counter 22 that is driven in synchronization with the scanning in the human-powered image device 1 .

The horizontal scanning counter section and the vertical scanning counter section of the counter 22 are each in hexadecimal format corresponding to the bit pattern size, that is, 6x6 in this embodiment, and in the editing area, the standard color table 8 or the registered color table 9, a 6×6 dot pattern corresponding to the previously designated color code is read out repeatedly, and based on this, color conversion processing is performed on the image signal from the dither processing circuit 3 or the binarization circuit 4. It will be done.

The image signal after image processing is supplied to the image output device 7,
An image in which the color of the part corresponding to the editing area of the original image is converted to the specified color is output.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, each bit pattern stored in the registered color table 9 can be written to the IC card 30 via the interface circuit 21. The IC card 30 is attachable to and detachable from the copying machine main body A via the interface circuit 21, and functions as a normal memory when viewed from the CPU 12. That is, when the IC card 30 is installed in the copying machine main body A, the IC card 30 and the interface circuit 21 are connected by the address bus and data bus of the CPU 12. Note that the memory (not shown) built into the IC card 30 is backed up by a battery and operates as a nonvolatile memory.

The address for the IC card 30 is the registered color table 9.
After connecting the IC card 30 to the interface circuit 21, the function designation area E of the digitizer 14,
By pressing the editing condition write key 14h, the contents of the registered color table 9 are written to the IC card 30.

Also, by pressing the editing condition read key 14g,
The contents of the IC card 30 are written into the registered color table 9.

By storing the editing conditions in the external IC card 30 in this way, a wide variety of editing conditions can be set. Also, if a different IC card 30 is assigned to each user or type of work, and when copying, the IC card 30 is attached and the editing conditions are read into the copying machine main body A side. This eliminates the need to set editing conditions for each copy, improving operability.

As described above, in this embodiment, keys that do not involve specifying an area are arranged on the operation panel section 19 on the side of the copying machine main body A, and keys that are used directly for specifying an area are arranged on the digitizer 14 side. Therefore, it is possible to intuitively and easily select the keys to be used when operating the copying machine and when setting editing conditions, improving operability.

Moreover, by adopting such a key arrangement, it is possible to provide an external editing device fB separate from the main body A of the copying machine, which can specify editing conditions in the same way as on the main body side.

The external editing device B has a digitizer 42 . Non-volatile memory 43. An I-collection condition memory 44 and the like are connected thereto, and an interface circuit 45 for writing created editing conditions to the IC card 30 is also connected. Also, in terms of appearance, the digitizer 1 of the copying machine main body A
It has substantially the same configuration as 4, and the operation keys used directly for specifying the editing area are arranged. Note that the nonvolatile memory 43 is not necessarily necessary, and
In this embodiment, the card 30 may be used as a memory for writing directly. In this embodiment, the digitizer 14 for the copying machine body is provided with operation keys that are used directly to specify the editing area. An external editing device B having a function can be provided separately from the copying machine main body A side, and editing conditions can be set in the same way as on the copying machine main body A side.

Then, the editing conditions are stored in the IC card 30 by the external editing device, and the IC card 30 is inserted into the copying machine main body A.
By attaching it to the main body A of the copying machine, it becomes possible to output an edited image on the copying machine main body A side based on the editing conditions specified by the external editing device.

By providing external editing device B in this way, it is possible to avoid monopolizing the copying machine for a long time when setting the above-mentioned editing conditions, and it is possible to prevent other users who simply want to make copies using the copying machine. You will no longer be inconvenienced. Also,
Since you can set the editing conditions on your own desk, for example, instead of where the copier main body A is installed, you can do the work more easily and have the necessary materials at hand for immediate reference. This improves work efficiency.

In the above-described embodiment, only the case where colors used during editing are registered is described, but not only colors but also various patterns can be registered.

For example, by writing the 6×6 bit pattern shown in FIG. 5(a) or FIG. 6(a) in the yellow, magenta, and cyan areas of the registered color table 9,
If the contents of the registered color table 9 are read out in synchronization with the scanning of the original as described above, the bit pattern will be read out repeatedly at a 6-pixel period, resulting in a net-like pattern as shown in FIG. A diagonal line pattern as shown in Figure (b) is formed. Incidentally, a bit pattern as shown in FIG. 5(a) or FIG. 6(a) can be easily generated by calculation in the CPU 12, for example.

At this time, if you write the same pattern to the three colors yellow, magenta, and cyan, the output color will be black, but for example, if you write the same pattern to only the two colors yellow and magenta, but do not write to cyan. If not done, the output color will be red. In this way, by changing the combination of colors to be written, it is possible to output various colors.

Furthermore, the CPU can be downloaded from an external personal computer, etc.
By supplying pattern data through 12 pass lines, it is possible to easily form not only a simple geometric pattern but also any arbitrary pattern in units of dots.

If these patterns are also made to correspond to color codes, the registered pattern can be selected by specifying the color code at the time of use.

Then, if the bit pattern in this registered color table 9 is stored in the IC card 30, and this IC card 30 is inserted into the copying machine body A during editing, the desired pattern can be used as needed. can do. Further, the manufacturer can write frequently used bit patterns into the IC card 30 in advance.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, by devising the arrangement of operation keys in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to easily provide an external editing device separate from the image forming apparatus main body, thereby improving editing work. There is no need to monopolize an image forming device such as a copying machine just for the purpose of doing so. Therefore, the operating rate of the image forming apparatus increases. Further, since the external editing device can be moved to a location where editing work can be easily performed, work efficiency is also improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing in block form an example of how the image editing device of the present invention is used, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an image input device equipped with a digitizer, and FIG. 3 is an operation of the digitizer and the copying machine main body. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the panel, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the bit pattern in the registered color table, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the bit pattern and the reproduced image. l Dihedral image input device 2: A/D converter 3: Dither processing circuit 4: Binarization circuit 5: Image processing circuit
(i: RAM table 7: Image output device 8:
Standard color table 9: Registered color table 10: Bitmap memory ll: Drawing device 12.41
:CPU13, 16.24 :Gate 14.
42 + Digitizer 14a: Area specification start key 14b
: Area set key 14c : Color conversion key 14
d: Extraction key 14e: End key 14": Clear key 14g: Editing condition reading key 14h: Editing condition writing key 14i: Standard color specification section 14": Registered color specification section 1
5: Multiplexer 17.43: Non-volatile memory 18.44: Editing condition memory 19: Operation panel section 19a
: Power switch 19b: Numeric keypad 19C: Clear key 19d Start key 198 Stop key 19f:) Ray selection key 19g: Original size key 19h: Reduction ratio key 191: Copy density key 19'': Original type key 19k: Copy mode key 191: Saturation key 19m Two-color adjustment key 20:
Copy mechanism control unit 21.45: Interface circuit 22: Counter 23: Multiplexer 30
: IC card A: Copying machine body B: External editing device Emaro: Area specified area EF two function specified area patent applicant
Representative of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
Masu Hori (and 2 others) Figure 2, Figure 4 (a) (b) Figure 3, Figure 4 (c) (d)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An editing device for inputting an editing area is pivotally mounted on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body,
Operation keys that do not involve area specification are arranged on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus main body, and operation keys that are directly used for specifying the area are arranged on the operation panel of the editing apparatus, and An external editing device is provided separately from the image forming device main body, and interface means for detachably connecting a non-volatile storage device capable of storing an editing area is provided to both the image forming device main body and the external editing device. An image editing device characterized by: 2. An editing device for inputting an editing area is pivotally mounted on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body so as to be freely openable and closable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body,
An external editing device is provided separately from the image forming apparatus main body, data in an editing area is created by the external editing device, and data in the editing area is read into a non-volatile storage device attached to the external editing device, Next, the nonvolatile storage device is removed from the external editing device and then attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, so that the data in the editing area created by the external editing device is transferred to the image via the nonvolatile storage device. An image editing method characterized in that the image is transferred to the main body of the forming apparatus.