JPH0244964A - digital image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a copy with diversified format by identifying a dot area and a line area based on a read data from a scanner and synthesizing a pattern to the dot area. CONSTITUTION:The device consists of an automatic original carrying device 100 carrying an original to a contact glass 201, a scanner 200 decomposing the picture on the original positioned on the contact glass 201 with a prescribed resolution and applying photoelectric conversion and a printer 300 recording the picture read by the scanner 200 onto recording paper of any size contained in three paper supply cassettes 305-307 and provided with a both side copying function. Then since a pattern such as a mesh or broken lines or a color pattern of such patterns is formed to a copy on an area identified as dot parts from the picture data of the original, the dot parts are processed as various patterns or color patterns in matching with the request of the user. Thus, a copy of versatile formats is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a digital image forming apparatus that makes it possible to obtain copies with various patterns applied to the back area of a document.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Digital image forming apparatuses such as digital copying machines are capable of producing copies in various formats by digital signal processing of image data obtained from a document.

In conventional digital image forming apparatuses of this kind, solid portions of a document have been processed to the extent that they are whitened out while leaving the frame of the document.

Note that since this type of image forming apparatus is well known, no particular literature is listed here.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As this type of image forming apparatus, including copying machines, has become widespread in the industrial world, the demands on its functions have become more diverse, such as colorizing solid areas of originals, and various other functions. There is a growing demand for copies that have a variety of patterns that are different from originals.

In order to meet the above-mentioned requirements, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital image forming apparatus capable of composite copying of original data and other data, and to make copies in which pattern patterns such as shading and broken lines are composited in solid areas of an original. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital image forming apparatus that can obtain the following.

[Means to solve the problem]

The above objects include a means for identifying a solid area and a line area from original image data, a means for generating pattern pattern data, a means for synthesizing a pattern pattern in a evening area with the above, and a means for converting the synthesized data into an image. This is achieved by comprising means for writing on the forming medium.

[For production]

Since a mesh pattern, a dashed line pattern, or a color pattern thereof is formed on the copy in an area identified as a solid area based on the image data of the original, various patterns that meet the user's requirements can be created.
A copy with a color pattern and solid areas processed is obtained.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This digital image forming apparatus has a contact glass 201
Automatic document feeder (ADF) 100 that transports documents to
, a scanner 20 that decomposes an image of a document positioned on a contact glass 201 at a predetermined resolution and converts it photoelectrically.
0, and a printer 300 that records the image read by the scanner 200 on any of the sizes of recording paper stored in three paper cassettes 305, 306, and 307, and also has a double-sided copying function. , which basically has the same configuration as a well-known so-called digital copying machine.

In the document transport device 100, the documents placed on the document table 101 are fed one by one by the feed roller 102, and the contact glass 2 is conveyed by the conveyance bell 03.
It is positioned at a predetermined position of 01.

After the image of the original is read, the original is removed from the contact glass 201 by the conveyance heald 103 and ejected onto the ejection tray 104.

In the scanner 200, an image of a document positioned on a contact glass 201 is scanned in the direction of the arrow by an optical system 202, and the image obtained by scanning (hereinafter referred to as scan light) is imaged on a line image sensor 203. be done.

The line image sensor 203 decomposes the scanning light of the scan line of the optical system 202 into a predetermined number of pixels and photoelectrically converts the image of each pixel, thereby forming electrical image data.

In the printer 300, a drum-shaped photoreceptor (image forming medium) 302 is irradiated with laser light output from a laser writing unit 301 that scans laser light modulated according to image data.

The photoreceptor 302 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and its surface is uniformly charged by the charger 303.
The charged surface is exposed to laser light to record an image (
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data) is formed, and this electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by a developing device 304.

On the other hand, the recording paper stacked in the selected one of the three paper feed cassettes 305, 306, 307 is processed by the paper feed rollers 308, 309, 310 corresponding to the paper feed rollers 305, 306, 307, respectively. The sheets are sent out one by one starting from the one at the top. The recording paper sent out by the paper feed rollers 308, 309, and 310 in this manner is sent out to the photoreceptor 302 by the registration roller 311 at the timing when its leading edge coincides with the leading edge of the toner image.

The recording paper sent to the photoconductor 302 is brought into close contact with the photoconductor 302 by a transfer charger 312 and a toner image is transferred thereto, and then separated from the photoconductor 302 by a separation charger 313, and then the toner image is fixed by a fixing device 314. fixed on the surface. Then, the recording paper that has been fixed is transferred to the distribution section 3.
15 and a reversing section 316, and is conveyed by a discharge roller 317 and discharged to the outside of the machine.

The recording sheets discharged outside the machine are stacked by a sorter 318 on stackers 319 and 320 that stack recording sheets on which a copy image has been recorded during a copying operation.

The distribution unit 315 transfers the recording paper on which the image is recorded to the reversing unit 316.
, an ejection roller 317 or a conveyance section 321, and the conveyance section 321 transfers the recording paper on which the image on the first side is recorded again to the registration rollers 3 during double-sided copying.
11.

The residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor 302 is removed by the cleaning section 32.
2, and the residual charge is removed by the static elimination lamp 323.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the distribution section in FIG. 1, and includes 315a, 315b, 315c, 315d.
315e and 315f are conveyance rollers for conveying the recording, and branch plates for switching the conveyance path of the recording paper.

When the recording paper is discharged in an inverted state, that is, with the side on which the image is recorded facing down, the branch plate 315e is biased in the AI force direction, and the branch plate 315f is biased in the A3 direction.

The recording paper is conveyed through 41 conveyance paths.

It sequentially passes through C, II, and E, is conveyed to the discharge roller 317, and is discharged outside the machine.

When the recording paper is discharged as it is, that is, with the image recording surface facing up, the branching plate 315e is biased in the A2 direction. Then, the recording paper passes through the conveyance circuit, is conveyed to the discharge roller 317, and is discharged outside the machine.

When sending the recording paper to the transport section 321, the branch plate 315e
is biased in the A1 direction, and the branch plate 315f is biased in the A4 direction. Then, the recording paper passes sequentially through the transport paths A99B, H2, G, and H, and is sent to the transport section 321.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a control section of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
The output image signal No. 3 is amplified to a predetermined amplitude by an AGC (variable gain side i) amplifier 11, converted into a digital signal of a predetermined number of bits by an analog/digital converter 12, and applied to an image processing section 13.

The image processing unit 13 performs shading correction processing to correct variations in the level of image signals caused by variations in the characteristics of the optical system 202 of the scanner 200 and the light receiving characteristics of each bit of the line image sensor 203.
γ correction processing that corrects the difference between image reading characteristics and human visual characteristics and converts the image read by the scanner 200 into a visually optimal image; MTF correction processing that eliminates image blur; Background removal processing to properly extract images of originals with dark or dirty background colors, halftone processing to create pseudo gradation of images, and character parts to be binarized. It realizes character/halftone separation processing for separating images to be subjected to intermediate processing, color signal processing, and other various image processing.

Image information processed by the image processing unit 13 is image memo 1
Accumulated every 5 months. The writing and reading operations of this image memory 15 are controlled by a memory control section 16.

The image data read from the image memory 15 is converted into an image signal suitable for printing by the printer 300 by the image processing section 13 and is applied to the laser diode driver 17. As a result, the laser diode 18 outputs an image signal (image information). ) modulated laser light is generated. Note that this laser diode 18 is connected to the copying machine 300.
It is provided in the laser writing section 301 of. The image processing unit 13 also executes density conversion processing for converting the linear density of the image and scaling processing for reducing and enlarging the image together with the image memo January 5.

The operation display section 19 includes operation keys and a display for displaying operating conditions, operation procedures, and the like. Operation keys include, for example, a copy key for starting copying, a stop key for stopping copying, a numeric keypad for entering numerical data such as the number of copies, and a key for setting modes such as enlargement and reduction. It is equipped with a mode key, a guidance key for selecting the selection item displayed on the display, etc.

Further, as a display device, a liquid crystal display device or the like having a high degree of display flexibility is used to display message information of operating procedures, numerical values input using a numeric keypad, the actual number of copies, etc. The DF control section 20 controls the document transport device W100, the scanner control section 21 controls the scanner 200, and the copy control section 22 controls operations of each part of the copying apparatus 200. These DF control units 20. Scanner control unit 21.
Copy control unit 221 image processing unit 13. The memory control unit 15 and the laser diode driver 17 are connected to the system control unit 23.
The operation timing, operation mode, etc. of each are controlled by.

The memory control section 15 and the copy control section 22 exchange information for synchronizing the operation of the laser writing section 301.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner control unit, including a scanner control unit 4601 position sensor 480.
Scan motor control unit 470. A motor 471 and an encoder 472 drive the optical system 202 in FIG.

In the figure, when a scan initialization signal is received on line a-1, it is first checked to see if the position sensor 480 is operating, and if it is, the scanner control unit 460 issues a command to the scanning motor control unit. , drives the motor 471 to move the lamp unit to the left in FIG. When position sensor 480 becomes inoperable, scanner control unit 460 lowers the command and motor 47
Stop 1.

Thereafter, the scanner control unit 460 controls the motor 471
A signal is issued to reverse the lamp unit, the lamp unit is moved toward the home side, and when the position sensor 480 is activated, the motor 471 is stopped.

In normal times, the motor 471 is driven by a signal from line a-1 in FIG. 4 to move the lamp unit and scan the document surface.

The lamp control circuit 450 is a circuit that controls on/off of the lamp 451 and the amount of light at a constant level.

Oscillation circuit 440. C at the timing control unit 430
A CD image sensor 411 (line image sensor 203 in FIG. 1) generates a basic timing signal for the signal processing unit 420.

The image on the document surface is processed as follows.

=11 First, the light from the lamp 451 is applied to the document, and the reflected light is
It is received by the CD image sensor 411.

Since the reflected light is large on the white parts of the document surface and weak on the black parts, the light entering the COD is strong on the white parts and weak on the black parts. This is converted into an electrical signal and sent to an amplifier 413. This amplifier 413 has an AGC function, and the lamp 4
C due to deterioration of 51, variations in light intensity between lamps, changes in light intensity due to dirt on contact glass, mirrors, lenses, etc.
The output of the CD 411 is changed by changing the gain using the AGC of the amplifier 413, so that the output is always constant.

The A/D converter 421 converts an analog signal into a digital signal, and converts the analog output from the amplifier 413 into a digital signal. This A/D converter 421 is
Since a high speed (approximately 15 MHz) is required, flash type devices are often used.

The shading processing circuit 422 suppresses variations in the output voltage of each bit of the CCD and variations in the optical system. This method has a memory (variable value data memory) that has the same number of read bits as the CCD, reads a reference white plate (a white reference plate), and stores the value in the memory. if,
If the optical system and COD are ideal, the output of each bit of the COD is the same, but in reality there is variation, so the output of each bit has a difference. therefore,
If used as data as is, the white and black levels of the document will be different from the white and black levels of the COD output, and the image will not be correct. In order to prevent this, the output of the CCD 411 on the reference white plate is stored in a memory, and is calculated with the read data of the original to correct the data.

This calculation formula is as follows.

The scaling processing circuit 423 is a circuit that enlarges or reduces the image of the document to a predetermined size, and
This circuit changes the magnification in the CD reading direction, and changes the speed of the optical system in the sub-scanning direction (optical system scanning direction). By changing the magnification in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction separately, it becomes possible to freely change the magnification in the vertical and horizontal directions.

The halftone, binarization, photo/text automatic separation circuit 424 uses variable value data (data in which one pixel has gradation, oooo
If oo is black, 111111 is white) is converted into binary data (
(white and black).

Images that contain halftones, such as photographs, are converted into binary data by halftone processing using a matrix method, dither method, or the like.

When the photo/text automatic separation circuit performs halftone processing on a document that contains both text and photos, the text becomes blurry and difficult to read. Furthermore, although the text is easy to read when it is binarized, there are no halftones in the photograph, resulting in a flat picture. Therefore, with this circuit, the text part and the photo part are automatically separated, and the text part is divided into two parts.
Value processing is performed, and the photographic part is subjected to halftone processing,
They bring out the good points of each.

Automatic separation uses multi-valued data, and if a certain number of areas that contain halftones (gray, etc.) continue, it is determined to be a photographic area, and if there is a continuation of sharp white or black data, it is determined to be text, and so on.

After performing the above processing, it is output through line a-4.

Note that the above functions can be controlled via the scanner control unit from line a-1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the operation section, each key having the function shown in the figure, and a desired copy can be created by operating each key.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main control system, which includes a microprocessor 610, ROM 620, RAM
630, clock circuit (timer>640, power supply 641,
I 10650.660.670 are connected via bus 600.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the writing unit of the printer,
301 is a polygon mirror, which is rotated by a motor 701 at high speed (14173 rpm). The beam sensor 703 generates a reference signal to start writing on the drum 302. As shown in the timing waveform in the figure, the beam sensor 703 turns on/off the semiconductor laser 18 (output 5 mW) according to the write data after t0 time. Turn off and shine light on the drum according to the image.

The surface potential of the part of the drum 302 that is hit by the light decreases,
The potential remains in the areas that are not exposed to light. This is developed using the same principle as in general copying machines, and an image is created on transfer paper.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the control system of the printer, and the image reproduction system control unit 810 includes a high voltage power supply unit 820, a paper feed control unit 830, a heater control unit 840, a motor driver 850, a solenoid driver 860, a relay driver 870, It controls the signal processing circuit 880.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention in which two or more original documents are combined will be described.

Conventional compositing methods mechanically create a composite image by passing the transfer paper through twice using a duplex unit, but due to mechanical precision, fine positional accuracy cannot be achieved, and only rough compositing can be done. I could not do it.

The present invention improves this point and realizes composite copying that can achieve fine positional accuracy.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of document composition, in which (a) and (mountain) respectively show the document to be composited, and (C) the composited print.

In the same figure, each manuscript and composite copy are marked with “x”.
” mark is a reference mark, placed outside the effective image area, and
By adding more than one, skew of the original is also detected and composited.

FIG. 10 is an overall block diagram for this embodiment,
An image processing unit 900 controls image signals related to composition. The image memory (image memory 15 in Figure 3) 901 stores the original image data during the first scan, and from the second scan onwards, stores the combined data of the first memory and the second scan data. death,
Finally, the data in this memory is transferred to the laser diode unit 90 via the laser diode control circuit 904.
5 and print. In addition, 902 is a photoelectric conversion circuit, 903 is an image processing circuit (image processing section in FIG. 3), 9
06 is a control unit (system control section in FIG. 3).

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the peripheral area of the image memory, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the composition control section.

The compositing operation will be explained below with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12.

When you press the print button (8 on the start key) in Figure 4, the scanner moves, the lamp 451 lights up and the document is read, the signal processing unit 420 performs scaling and halftone processing, and the line a-4 to the image processing unit 900 of FIG. 1O. This signal enters the reference mark detection circuit 1200 of FIG. 12, which detects the reference mark shown in FIG. Set this reference mark at 2 points in the main scanning direction.
By attaching them individually, the setness of the document is determined, and the difference in position between the two is fed back to the skew correction circuit 1201 to electrically correct the skew.

Figures 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams of the method for determining whether the original is properly set, and +a+ indicates the state where the original is placed correctly, with two reference marks on the second reading line. . At this time, skew correction is not performed.

On the other hand, if you set it on an oblique opening like (bl), the difference between the 2nd and 4th lines is 5 and the line direction is 2.
Since the difference between the line and the 4th line is 2, this is converted into a distance, θ is obtained, and the 0 minute skew is corrected.

At 400dpi, the distance of one line is 25.4 m/
400dpi = 0.0635mm/line, 400dpi in the main scanning direction is 0.0635m
/CLK becomes.

Further, the coordinates of the reference mark on the document are determined from the number of lines shown in FIG. 13 and the number of clocks in the main scanning direction.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram for skew correction, and a method of moving the position of ■ to the position of ■ will be explained.

For manuscripts with oblique edges, as shown in fb) in Figure 13,
All you have to do is move the position marked ■ in the diagram to the position marked ■. The amount of movement at that time is determined from the distance a in the main scanning direction from the origin and the diagonal amount θ of the reference mark, 411. in FIG. (It can be calculated using Equation 21. It is sufficient to move by this amount.

The skew correction circuit 1201 calculates the correction amount from the address of each image data sent in real time, and sends the value to the memory 901 in FIG. Here, adder circuits 1501 and 1502 are included in front of the addresses in the X and Y directions, and these parts add or subtract the correction amount to calculate the address at the correct position and write data in that area.

Next, a method for composing two originals will be explained with reference to FIG. The first document is stored in memory using the method described above. A method for composing the second original and the first original will be explained.

When storing the first original in the memory, remember the coordinates of the reference mark (mark A in FIG. 13(a)) that serves as the origin. As shown in FIG. 16, when the first and second originals are read, if the reference origin positions are misaligned, if they are copied as is, the composite copy will result in a misaligned image.

This deviation is corrected as follows.

The coordinates of the origin of the first manuscript are XI, Yl (2, 2) 2
〇-. Set the coordinates of the origin of the second document to X2. Yl(4,3
), the first original is all in the memory, so when putting the second original into the memory, XI X2. Yr
All you have to do is move the coordinates by Yz.

The reference mark detection circuit 1201 is the first. Calculate the coordinate shift of the reference mark from the second original and use the value as shown in Figure 15.
, Y correction value 2 to correct the misalignment of the original.

FIG. 17 is a waveform diagram showing the relationship between image CLK and memory read and write when compositing.

First, the contents of the memory are read and latched at the beginning of the image CLK, and at the end of the CLKO, the contents of the memory and the logic of the image data are taken and stored in the memory again.

With this operation, synthesis can be performed on memory.

FIG. 18 shows the circuit. In this circuit, XOR, O
Either R or AND can be selected. When printing out, outputting the contents of the memory will result in a correctly synthesized image.

In this example, the composite image is created once in memory. 1. As explained above, in order to increase the copy speed, for example, when combining two originals, the first one is stored in memory, and when the second original is printed, the second original is The memory address may be corrected and output accordingly.

Next, a method for solid images will be explained.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an image of a solid image,
This is the original drawing (a) with the center cut out like (bl), XI.

This can be achieved by shifting by Y and compositing as shown in (C).

The operation at this time will be explained.

When data is read out after performing skew correction using the method described above and stored in the memory, the address is changed within one image CLK and the data is read out twice, which are combined and sent to the writing system as one data.

Further, when copying a block copy or the like by combining the first and second originals, the sizes of the first and second originals may be slightly different, and if they are stacked on top of each other and copied, there is a problem that misalignment occurs.

In the present invention, the variation in two dimensions of the skew amount of the original is corrected by changing the magnification based on the reference mark attached on the bottom of the original, and the copy is made.

This operation will be explained below.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of this operation. -generally 2
When making one product using more than one block, reference marks are included to align the blocks.

For the first document, read the interval between these marks (origins) (
Step 1), set this value to 2. Next, read the second original, read the same mark, and set this interval to I12 (step 5) o m-7! , #z (step 6), and by copying with this magnification, the first.
Make the second image size the same. At this time, by applying coordinate correction (step 2.7), perfect synthesis can be achieved.

In the above example, the sizes of the first and second originals are matched, but if the mark spacing is known in advance, a copy of the correct size can be obtained by comparing it with this value l.

Of course, it goes without saying that the magnification can also be changed by changing the magnification ratio set by the key.

Hereinafter, an operation of changing the color to be copied in a solid area and other areas using two developing units will be described.

The general operation is as follows.

In the schematic diagram of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1, 304 is a developing section, which is divided into two parts as shown in FIG. 21, each containing toner of different colors such as red and black.
Alternatively, they contain toner of the same color and can be driven separately or simultaneously. In this description, it is assumed that red toner is contained in 400 in FIG. 21 and black toner is contained in 401.

First, in a first copy operation, the optical system 202 is driven to read the original. The read signal is passed through the circuit shown in FIG. 22, and the areas other than the solid area are developed with black toner 401 shown in FIG. 21(a).
The double-sided tray 321 is not inverted at the distribution unit 315 in FIG.
Save up.

In the second copy operation, the same document is read again, and the solid black portion is developed with the red developing device 400 in the circuit shown in FIG. 22, fixed in the fixing unit 314 shown in FIG. Discharge. By this operation, the text portion will be copied in black and the solid portion will be copied in red.

The operation flowchart of FIG. 23 is shown.

To explain the operation of FIG. 22, this part is the image processing section 13 of FIG. 3 and performs the following operations.

Density Judgment Circuit 200> This part reads the reference white board and controls the gain of the AGC amplifier so that the output of A/D conversion falls within a certain value. Take control.

Area detection circuit 2201) Detects the area of the halftone portion using the signal a. For example, even if a halftone is detected in a minute area of one to several pixels due to background dirt or the like and a signal a is generated, in this case it is not detected as a halftone area.

In other words, a halftone portion extending over a certain area is detected as a halftone area. Also, when marking the black print with a colored felt-tip pen, the black print is black and has a high density. If the halftone area is divided by black in this way, the halftone area is expanded to include part of the black part for detection.

<Flag control circuit 2202> This is a circuit that sets/resets the next stage flag memory.

<Flag memory 2203> This is a 1-line memory in the main scanning direction, and contains a flag indicating a mark designation area, which is updated every line (sub-scanning).

Trimming masking circuit 2204 > Based on the output signal of the flag memory 2203, the output signal d gates the binary image data to generate the first write data e.

Hollowing processing circuit 2205> This is a circuit that extracts edge lines from solid areas.

With this signal, it is possible to distinguish between the inside and outside of the solid area.

Hollow out selection circuit 2206> The hollowed out data g is gated by the output signal d of the flag memory 2203 to obtain the second write data h.

<Output selection circuit 2207> Selects either the first write data e or the second write data h, and supplies it to the D drive as data f.

Next, a method for detecting a solid area will be explained with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25.

FIG. 25 shows a timing chart, and FIG. 24 shows a part of a circuit diagram. In the timing chart of FIG.
LK is an image clock, and Data indicates image data.

Data, Data2 is 1)-F/ in Fig. 24
It is created by shifting F-1 and DF/F-2 by one clock each. Data3 is Data and Data
2 through the AND gate (G,). This circuit separates the solid portion and the thin line. The sizes of thin lines and solid areas are determined by the amount of delay in DF/F. Therefore, in order to treat even a fairly thick line as a line, it is sufficient to increase the number of D-F/Fs.

In FIG. 25, Data 4 indicates the thin line portion. If this signal is developed with red or black toner, a copy of the area excluding the solid area can be obtained. Data3 is a signal for the solid portion, and this signal may be used to copy the solid portion. In this way, by changing the color of the developing area with Data3 and Data4, it is possible to automatically change the color of thin lines and solid areas. Also, since this method detects areas on the original, color misregistration can be reduced.

Up to now, only the main scanning has been described, but in reality, the same scanning is performed in the sub-scanning direction to detect the surface.

As you can see from the above explanation, in main scanning and sub-scanning 1) -
By changing the number of delays with F/F, the width of the solid pattern can be changed between main and sub.

Next, a method for adding a pattern to a solid area will be explained.

FIG. 26 shows its block diagram.

A pattern generation circuit 260 for the signal obtained in FIG.
By combining it with the 0 signal, an image like the one shown in FIG. 27 can be obtained.

This operation will be explained.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of the output obtained by synthesizing the input data and the pattern generated by the pattern generation circuit.
j! 5 indicates a signal in the sub-scanning direction.

The pattern corresponds to this signal as follows.

The pixel of input signal aI+'l has a pattern (Fig. 27) (
a)) (7) X, , Y, , input signal a2+'
1 pixel is X2. of the pattern (FIG. 27(a)). YI
, and the output is the result of ANDing the input signal and the pattern signal.

The results are shown in (output) in FIG.

In this way, by compositing with the pattern, the solid portion is decomposed into X. By creating various patterns, you can create various patterns.

The explanation so far has been about solid areas and thin lines, but the same function can also be achieved by using areas specified with a marker pen. At this time, the area of the marker pen is recognized by the area detection circuit.

To obtain a shaded image, first obtain a copy sheet (a) of the original as is, as shown in FIG. Using the circuit and timing shown in FIG. 29, the original is hollowed out and a copy is obtained (b). (By shifting the images of al and (b) by Xs and Y+ and composing them, a copy of (C) can be obtained. In this example, these operations are automatically performed. .

The circuit shown in FIG. 29(b) is designed to detect edge portions from image signals. Pass the input data through shift registers SR, SR,. The timing diagram is shown in the same figure +al
Shown below. Input data (Data) and shift register SR
When the outputs of , are passed through the exclusive OR game)
is obtained. Comparing the output Q3 and the input data, it can be seen that the edge portion of the input data becomes the output Q3. The width of the edge portion can be realized by changing the number of shift registers SR, SR2.

Although this embodiment has been described only in the main scanning direction, the same function is also provided in the sub-scanning direction.

The same figure (C1 is an explanatory diagram of a copy sample.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a special example of shading, and shows a copy example in which the shading is left blank.

To obtain an image like the one shown in the figure, do the following.

Pixel X3...Xl in the edge portion. , Y3, X
z, 3...8. The edge of Y is taken out by the method explained in FIG. It can be obtained by shifting it in the X and Y directions and storing it in memory.

FIG. 31 is a circuit configuration diagram of the circuit, with x, y.

are addresses for determining the X and Y directions, and Xz and Yz are addresses for offset for shifting the hollow portion for shading.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of a tablet used in the present invention, and since this type of tablet is already known, a description thereof will be omitted.

A method for changing the color or adding a pattern to a predetermined area using a tablet will be explained.

By pointing on the tablet with a pen, the coordinates of that location are sent as a code to the control panel. This tablet is A
Up to the 3rd edition, assuming the resolution is 0.5m/dat, the 3rd edition
It can be disassembled as shown in Figure 3, and by pointing with the pen, the position (coordinates) can be detected when the pen is pressed.

The code is sent to the image processing section 13 in FIG. The code is further stored in the tablet coordinate memory 220 in FIG.
8, the area indicated by the pen is stored in the memory. The area indicated by the tablet coordinate memory 2208 is cut out from the image data read by the scanner via a trimming/masking circuit, and the predetermined area is printed.

The control for changing colors is the same as the method described above. In this way, the area for descending a specific area may be determined by a tablet, the size of a solid black portion, or an area determined by a marker.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in a digital image forming apparatus capable of composite copying of originals, a solid area and a line area are identified from data read from a scanner, and a pattern is created in the solid area. Since it can be combined, copies in various formats can be provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a distribution section in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the control system in FIG. 1. 4 is a block diagram of the scanner control section, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the operating section, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the main control system, FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the printer's writing unit, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the printer's writing unit. A configuration diagram of the printer control system, Figure 9 is a conceptual diagram of document composition, Figure 10
The figure is an overall block diagram explaining the present invention in detail, Figure 11 is a configuration diagram around the image memory, Figure 12 is a configuration diagram of the compositing control section, and Figures 13 and 14 are for determining whether the original is set properly. An explanatory diagram of the method, Fig. 15 is a block diagram for skew correction, Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the method of combining two originals, Fig. 17 is an operation waveform diagram during synthesis, and Fig. 18 is a configuration of the synthesis circuit. figure,
Figure 19 is an explanatory diagram of the solid image, Figure 20 is a flowchart of the skew correction operation, and Figure 21 is the first
FIG. 22 is a block diagram of the synthesis circuit, FIG. 23 is its operation flowchart, FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of the ablation area detection circuit, and FIG. 25 is its operation timing chart. Fig. 26 is an explanatory diagram of the method for patterning the solid area, Fig. 27 is an explanatory diagram of an output example of the composite pattern, and
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a composite pattern, FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of edge detection, FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a special example of shading, FIG. An explanatory diagram of the tablet used, FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of the resolution of the tablet. 100... automatic document feeder, 200... scanner, 300... printer. Figure (a) Main turf direction Figure (b) (C) Figure ELCT Figure [X] Figure I Figure μRigon 7'' Figure

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a digital image forming apparatus capable of composite copying, an identification means for identifying a solid area and a line area from document image data read by a scanner, and a pattern representing a pattern such as hatching or broken lines. a pattern data generating means for generating data; a synthesizing means for synthesizing the output data from the pattern data generating means and the solid area data obtained from the identifying means; 1. A digital image forming apparatus, comprising a writing means for writing on the image forming apparatus. (2) In a digital color image forming apparatus that is equipped with a plurality of image forming media and a plurality of developing means provided correspondingly thereto, and is capable of developing each in a different color, the image data from the original image data read by a scanner is used. The image forming apparatus includes an identification means for identifying the solid area and the line area, and a writing means for writing the solid area data and the line area data obtained by the identification means onto separate image forming media. ,
A digital image forming apparatus characterized by being configured to develop a solid portion in a predetermined color.