JPH0969151A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To apply plural kinds of image processing to an image in a more easily selected closed area by detecting points marked by markers in a closed area of an original and executing edition processing in the closed area based upon the number of detected points and their colors. SOLUTION: Marker area detecting processing and closed area detecting processing are executed based upon image data stored in an image memory 102 and the image data are read out to a color correction part 104 at the image formation timing of respective colors in an image formation part. The color correction part 104 converts the read R/G/B image data into 8-bit gradation data and outputs the gradation data to a color edition part 105, which applies marker edition processing to an image in each closed area in a mode set up by a CPU 111. The CPU 111 detects points marked by specific color markers in a closed area selected by markers or a tablet 70 and sets up eight kinds of modes e.g. in the color edition part 105 based upon the number of detected points and the colors of respective points.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that detects a predetermined closed area in a document and performs image processing on the detected area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an apparatus for executing image processing on an image in a closed area of a document selected by a user. In the device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-46462, image processing is performed on an image within a rectangular region inscribed by a region surrounded by markers by a user. Further, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-97262, image processing is performed on a rectangular area specified by two vertical and horizontal lines drawn in the original by the user. The rectangular area may be specified by using a pointing device such as a tablet and designating two points on the document by the user. Examples of the image processing include background color conversion and image extraction. In addition, for example, the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-80885 recognizes a character in an area specified by a marker as image processing and translates it.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional apparatus executes a preset single image processing on a closed region specified by a marker or the like. In order to change the contents of image processing, it is necessary to operate the device body.
For this reason, it takes time and effort to perform image processing with different contents on images in a plurality of closed areas in the same document.
For example, in a digital color copying machine that performs image processing on an image in a closed area of a document specified by a user, a copy in which image processing with different contents is performed on two closed areas in a document image is performed. To obtain it, it is necessary to repeat the copying operation twice. That is, in the original image, one closed area is specified and a copy subjected to predetermined image processing is output, and then the main body of the copying machine is operated to change the content of the image processing. Identify closed areas,
It is necessary to perform the second copying operation.

It is an object of the present invention to more easily provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing a plurality of types of image processing on an image in a selected closed area in a document image.

[0005]

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a closed area detecting means for detecting a closed area in a document,
Edit processing within the closed area based on the number of points detected by the point detection means for detecting the points marked by the markers in the closed area detected by the closed area detection means, and the color thereof. And a color editing section for performing.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(1) Digital Color Copier FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a digital color copier which is an example of an embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention. The original document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 1 onto the platen glass 2 is illuminated by the lamp 3 of the scanner 10. The reflected light from the document surface passes through the mirrors 4, 5 and 6 and the lens 7
An image is formed on the 3-line full-color CCD sensor 8 by. The full-color CCD sensor 8 converts the reflected light from the original into electrical signals of R, G, B and outputs them to the signal processing unit 11. The scanner 10 scans the entire document by moving in the direction of the arrow (sub-scanning direction) at the speed of V. Scanner 10
The mirror box 9 in which the mirrors 5 and 6 are housed moves in the direction of the arrow at a speed of V / 2. The signal processing unit 11 converts the input R, G, and B gradation data into cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (BK) components, and converts the converted components. The data is sequentially output to the laser control unit 12 for each copy. The laser control unit 12 generates a laser diode drive signal according to the input signal, and causes the laser diode 12a to emit light by this drive signal. Laser diode 12a
The laser light emitted by the laser scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 17 via the polygon mirror 13, the f-θ lens 14, and the folding mirrors 15 and 16. The surface of the photosensitive drum 17 is irradiated with the eraser lamp 23 before being exposed for each copy, and is uniformly charged by the charging charger 22. When exposed in this state, an electrostatic latent image of the original is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 17. Cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (BK) toner developing devices 18 to 21 are sequentially selected to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 41. Appropriate sheets are conveyed from the sheet feeding cassettes 30 to 32, and the conveying rollers 28
Is attracted to the transfer drum 24 by an electrostatic attraction charger 27 provided so as to oppose to. The toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 17 is transferred by the transfer charger 26 to the copy paper wound around the transfer drum 24. The above printing process is repeated for four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (BK). Thereafter, the copying paper is discharged from the surface of the transfer drum 24 by the separation charge-eliminating charger 25, separated from the surface, fixed through the fixing device 29, and discharged.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel 50.
The number of copies is input with the ten keys 51. The touch panel display 52 displays an operation mode and a message, and also displays a touch key for setting the operation mode according to the message. The key 53 is a key for setting the marker edit mode. The print key 57 is a key for instructing the start of copying. The reset key 58 is a key used when canceling a copying operation or a set mode.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control circuit of the digital full-color copying machine of this embodiment. Full color CCD
The R, G, and B image data of the document read by the sensor 8 are converted into digital signals by the preprocessing unit 100 in the image signal processing unit 11 and subjected to shading correction, and then the memory control unit 101. And is temporarily stored in the image memory 102 via. In the image memory 102, two-dimensional addresses of x-coordinate (main scanning direction) and y-coordinate (sub-scanning direction) are set with respect to the original, and 8-bit attribute data is set for each pixel together with RGB image data. Remember each time. The attribute data is used in the marker area detection processing, closed area detection processing, and marker editing processing. The marker area detection processing and the closed area detection processing are performed based on the image data in the image memory 144. The marker area detection process detects and recognizes a closed area surrounded by the marker (hereinafter, this area is referred to as a marker area).
The closed region detection processing recognizes a closed region further existing in the marker area, and based on the number of points marked by the marker on each closed region and the color of each point, the mode M is determined for each region.
The marker edit processing of 1 to M8 is set. The following Table 1 shows the number of points added in the closed region, the color of each point, the modes M1 to M8 set based on this, and the content of the marker editing process executed in each mode. . For example,
When the red, blue, and green points are marked by the marker in the closed area, the mode M1 is set.

[Table 1] The image data that has been subjected to the marker area detection processing and the closed area processing is read by the color correction unit 104 at the image forming timing of each color of the image forming unit. The color correction unit 104 converts the RGB image data read from the image memory 102 into 8-bit gradation data of any one of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (BK). And outputs it to the color editing unit 105. Color editing unit 105
Then, the marker edit process of the mode set by the CPU 111 is executed on the image in each closed region. For example, when the mode M1 is set, the image in the closed area is converted into red / white monocolor. Color editorial department 1
The data subjected to the predetermined marker editing processing in 05 is subjected to predetermined gradation correction in the next γ correction unit 106, and then converted into an analog signal in the D / A conversion unit 107, and the laser control unit 12 Is output to. Laser control unit 1
In 2, the laser diode drive signal is generated based on the input data to cause the laser diode 12a to emit light. Information about various copying conditions set by the user via the operation panel 50 is stored in the control memory 10
3 is stored. The CPU 111 reads the information stored in the control memory 103, and controls the sequence of the image signal processing unit 11 based on the read data.
Also, other input / output control at the time of executing copying and other C not shown
Communication control with the PU is executed via the input / output control circuit 112. A tablet 70 is connected to the main body of the copying machine as a pointing device. Tablet 7
Information input from 0 is input to the CPU 111 via the input / output control circuit 112. Figure 4 shows a tablet 7
It is a front view of 0. In order to specify the closed area in which the marker editing process is performed, in addition to directly marking the relevant portion of the document with the marker, the document is placed on the pad 71 of the tablet 70 and two opposing points of the rectangular region to be selected are pointed. It can also be performed by designating with the pen 72.

(2) Marker Editing Process The CPU 111 detects points marked with markers of a specific color (red, green, blue) in the closed area selected by the markers or the tablet 70 in the document, The number of points detected,
Also, eight types of modes M1 to M8 are set in the color editing unit 105 based on the color of each point. When there are a plurality of closed areas in the marker area, the mode is set for each closed area, and different image processing is executed simultaneously for each closed area. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of control processing of the entire copying machine. After the power source of the copying machine is turned on, internal initialization is performed (step S1). When the key input by the user is received (step S2) and the key input is the print key 157 (YES in step S3), the following processing is executed. When the marker edit mode is set by the user (YES in step S4), a process of detecting an area used for the marker edit process, that is, a marker area is executed (step S4).
5). The marker area detection process will be described later. After detecting the marker area, a closed area in the marker area is detected (step S6). In step S6, the number and the color of the points marked by the markers on the detected closed regions are checked. Based on this result, the contents of the image processing in each closed area to be executed in the next marker editing processing (step S7) are set. After the process in step S6, the marker editing process set in the process in step S6 is executed (step S7). When there are a plurality of closed areas in the marker area, image processing is performed on each closed area. After the marker editing process is executed, the copying operation is executed (step S8).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the marker area detection process (FIG. 5, step S5) by the CPU 111. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image in a region 201 surrounded by a marker by a user in a document. The main image has a plurality of closed areas in the area 201, and each closed area is dotted with a marker of a predetermined number and color. In the marker area detection processing, first, the pixels in the area 200 marked with diagonal lines in FIG. 7 are recognized, and then the pixels in the area 201 surrounded by the markers are detected. Area 201
The detection of the pixels belonging to is determined by defining a line L parallel to the x-coordinate axis and detecting the pixels within the range surrounded by the pixels belonging to the region 200 among the pixels on the line L. In the flow shown in FIG. 6, a pixel with a marker is detected in the document (step S10). The detection of the marker area pixel is performed by detecting the pixel corresponding to the color of the marker from the RGB image data stored in the image memory 102. Then, the image memory 10
2 of the marker area pixel (x, y) attribute data stored together with the RGB image data in the first bit (hereinafter, q
The value of (x, y) is set to 1, and the value of q (x, y) of the other pixels is set to 0. Then q (x,
y) = 1, the maximum value (max.x and max.y) and the minimum value (min.x and min.y) of the x and y coordinates of the pixel in the image memory 102 are obtained (step S).
11). Next, the value of the second bit (hereinafter referred to as r (x, y)) of the attribute data of each pixel stored in the image memory 102 is set to 0 (step S12). Next, the initial value of the y coordinate of the line L is set to the minimum value mi of the marker area.
It is set to n.y (step S13). The initial value of the x coordinate of the line L is set to the minimum value min.x of the marker area (step S14). Pixel on line L (x, y)
Is surrounded by a pixel of q (x, y) = 1, that is, a pixel with a marker (YES in step S15), the value of the attribute data r (x, y) of the pixel is converted to 1. (Step S16). One is added to the value of the x coordinate (step S17), and the processes of steps S15 to S17 are repeatedly executed until the value of the x coordinate reaches max.x (step S18). 1 is added to the value of the y coordinate of the line L (step S19), and the processes of steps S14 to S19 are repeatedly executed until the value of the y coordinate reaches max.y (step S20). By the above processing, the attribute data q of the pixels belonging to the area 200 with the marker in the document shown in FIG.
(X, y) is set to 1 and the area 2 surrounded by the marker
The attribute data r (x, y) of the pixel belonging to 01 is set to 1. This detection process is a process in the case where the closed region in which the marker editing process is executed is specified by the mark by the marker. When using the tablet 70,
The processing contents of steps S10 and S11 are changed. Instead of marking the document with the marker, the user touches two points of the document placed on the pad 71 with the pointing pen 72 included in the tablet 70 to close the closed area (=
Marker area) is specified. In this case, the above step S
Instead of the processing in 10 and S11, the maximum value (max.x, max.y) and the minimum value (mi) of the x and y coordinates of the closed area from the two points on the pad 71 touched by the user.
n.x, min.y). After the closed region is specified, the processes in and after step S12 are executed.

8 to 10 show closed region detection processing (FIG. 6,
It is a flowchart of step S8). Here, a further closed area is detected in the marker area which is a closed area, and when one or more closed areas are detected, a predetermined identification number is given to each closed area. In FIG. 11, (a)-
(E) shows the state of the process of giving an identification number to the closed region detected for the image example shown in FIG. 7. Below, FIG.
The closed region detection processing will be described in accordance with the steps shown in FIG. 10 and also using (a) to (e) of FIG. 11 as appropriate. First, the closed area that exists further in the marker area is detected,
A process of giving an identification number to each detected closed region is executed. Of the pixels stored in the image memory 102,
Pixels in which the value of the attribute data r (x, y) is 1, that is, pixels belonging to the closed area 201 surrounded by the markers are extracted,
Of the extracted pixels, the values of the third to eighth bits of the attribute data are set to 1 for white pixels, and to 0 for pixels of other colors, characters and line drawings (step S50, FIG. 11). (See (a)). Hereafter, the pixel (x,
y) The value of the 3rd to 8th bits of the attribute information is s
Denote by (x, y). Here, the white pixel is a pixel in which an image is not drawn on the document, and R, R of the image memory 102,
Pixels in which all G and B values are equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, when 256 is the brightest data value, 230) are used. In step S50, the variable k is set to the initial value of 2.
The value of the attribute data s (x, y) is 1 in the image memory 102.
If there is a pixel (YES in step S51), the pixel with the smallest y-coordinate value among these pixels is obtained (step S52). When a plurality of pixels are lined up, the pixel having the smallest x-coordinate value is selected as the pixel of interest (step S53). In the case of the image shown in FIG. 11A, the pixel of interest is the pixel at the location indicated by the point 300. The value of the attribute data s (x, y) of the pixel of interest is set to k (initial value is 2) (step S54). S (x, y) around the pixel of interest
= 1 pixel exists (YE in step S55)
S), the value of the attribute data s (x, y) of the corresponding peripheral pixel is set to k (step S56). Here, the peripheral pixels of the target pixel are eight pixels adjacent to the periphery of the target pixel. One of the peripheral pixels for which the value of the attribute data s (x, y) has been rewritten in step S56 is set as the target pixel (step S57). The processes of steps S55 to S57 are repeatedly executed, and s (x, y) = 1 around the pixel of interest.
When there are no more pixels (N in step S55
O), at this point, the value of the attribute data s (x, y) of the pixel in the area 202 shown by the slanting line in the lower left of FIG. 11B is set to 2. After adding 1 to the value of the variable K (step S58), the process returns to step S51. The above steps S52 to S58 are repeatedly executed until there are no pixels of the attribute data s (x, y) = 1 in the image in the image memory 102. In the case of the original image of the present embodiment, the value of the attribute data s (x, y) of the pixel of the area 203 formed by the cross hatching of the oblique line and the vertical line which descends to the right in FIG. Next, in FIG. 11D, the value of the attribute data s (x, y) of the pixel in the region 204 formed by the cross hatching of the oblique line and the horizontal line that are descending to the right is set to 4.
And finally, as shown in (e) of FIG.
The value of the attribute data of each closed area is set. That is, the value of the attribute data s (x, y) of the pixel in the marker area is 2
When there are a plurality of closed areas in the marker area, the values of the attribute data s (x, y) are 3, 4, ... In order from the pixels in the closed area near the origin on the xy coordinates. , N
(N = 7 in the case of the original image example shown in FIG. 11). The value of this attribute data s (x, y) has a meaning as an identification number of each closed region. Below, the attribute data s (x,
A closed region composed of pixels of y) = k (where k takes a value of 3 to n) is represented as a closed region k. When a dot is added by a marker in each closed region to which an identification number is attached, the number and color of the dots are detected, and the content of the marker editing process executed in the color editing unit 105 based on the detected result. To set. Among the pixels in the image memory 102, when there is no pixel with the attribute data s (x, y) = 1, that is, when the identification number has been assigned to the pixels in each closed region (NO in step S51). ), The following processing is executed. When a closed area is further present in the marker area, the value of the attribute data s (x, y) of the pixel in the closed area is 3 or more. Therefore, in the image memory 102, the attribute data s (x,
It is determined whether or not there is a pixel whose value of y) is 3 or more (FIG. 9, step S60). Here, if there is another closed area in the marker area (Y in step S60).
ES), and the maximum value n of the variable k is set as k _max (step S6
1), the value of the variable k is set to 3 (step S62).
Among the pixels in the closed region k, the number D _R of pixels of the same color as the red color given by the marker is calculated (step S6).
3). Among the pixels in the closed region k, the number D _G of pixels of the same color as the green color marked with the marker is calculated (step S6).
4). Among the pixels in the closed region k, the number D _B of pixels of the same color as the blue color marked with the marker is calculated (step S6).
5). Number of each pixel D obtained in steps S63 to S65
_R, D _G, compared to the reference value the value of D _B, identifying the number and color of the marker pointer attached to the closed region k by the user. Based on this result, the content of the marker editing process executed by the color editing unit 105 is determined. When each of the numbers of pixels D _R , D _B , and D _G is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value (YES in steps S66, S67, and S68 in FIG. 10), it is determined that red, blue, and green points are designated. (Step S69). In this case, the CPU 111 sets, in the color editing unit 105, a mode M1 in which the image in the closed area k is converted into red / white monocolor. When the pixel numbers D _R and D _B are equal to or greater than the reference value and the pixel number D _G is equal to or less than the reference value (YES in steps S66 and S67, NO in S68),
It is determined that red and blue points have been designated (step S7).
0). In this case, the CPU 111 causes the color editing unit 105
Is set to the mode M2 for converting the edge of the closed region k into red. The number of pixels D _R and D _G is greater than or equal to the reference value, and the number of pixels D _B
Is less than the reference value (YES in step S66, S
No in 67, YES in S71), it is determined that there are red and green point designations (step S72). In this case, the CPU
In step 111, the color editing unit 105 sets the mode M3 for converting the edge of the closed region k into green. When the number of pixels D _R is equal to or larger than the reference value and the numbers of pixels D _B and D _G are less than the reference value (YES in step S66, NO in S67, S71),
It is determined that there is a red dot designation (step S73). In this case, the CPU 111 sets the mode M4 for converting the background color in the closed region k into red in the color editing unit 105. The number of pixels D _R is less than the reference value, and the number of pixels D _B and D _G
Is greater than or equal to the reference value (NO in step S66, S7
4, YES in S75), it is determined that blue and green points have been designated (step S76). In this case, the CPU 111
Sets a mode M5 for converting the image in the closed region k into a blue / white mono color in the color editing unit 105. Number of pixels D
_{When R} and D _G are less than the reference value and the number of pixels D _B is equal to or more than the reference value (NO in step S66, YES in S74,
If NO in S75), it is determined that there is a blue dot designation (step S77). In this case, the CPU 111 sets the color editing unit 105 to the mode M6 for converting the background color of the closed region k into blue. If the number of pixels D _R and D _B is less than the reference value and the number of pixels D _G is greater than or equal to the reference value (step S66,
If NO in S74, YES in S78), it is determined that a green dot is designated (step S79). Number of pixels D _R , D _G , D _B
All of the values are less than the reference value (steps S66, S7
4, NO in S78), it is determined that the points have not been designated by the marker (step S80). In this case, the CPU
111 sets the mode M8 in which the color in the closed region k is not converted in the color editing unit 105. The value of the variable k is k _max (=
If it is not n) (NO in step S81), the variable k
After adding 1 to the value of (step S82), the process returns to step S63. If the value of the variable k is kmax (YES in step S81), the process ends and the process returns. The reference values used for comparison with the pixel numbers D _R , D _G , and D _B may all be the same or different from each other. In the digital color copying machine of this example, eight kinds of marker edit processing contents are set according to the number of points added by the marker and the color thereof. It may be set according to the number of editing processes.

[0012]

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the contents executed by the editing unit are changed based on the number and the color of the marks attached to the closed region detected by the detecting means. As a result, it is possible to change the content of the editing process performed in the closed region to a plurality of numbers with a few procedures.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a digital color copying machine.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation panel 50.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the tablet.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of control processing of the entire copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of marker area detection processing by a CPU.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image in a region surrounded by a marker by a user in a document.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of closed region detection processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of closed region detection processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of closed region detection processing.

FIG. 11 shows a situation of processing for assigning an identification number to a closed region detected for the image example shown in FIG. 7.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 ... CCD 11 ... Image signal processing unit 101 ... Memory control unit 102 ... Image memory 103 ... Control memory 104 ... Color correction unit 105 ... Color editing unit 111 ... CPU 50 ... Operation panel 70 ... Tablet

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A closed area detecting means for detecting a closed area in a document, a point detecting means for detecting a point marked with a marker in the closed area detected by the closed area detecting means, and a point detecting means. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a color editing unit that performs an editing process in a closed region based on the number of points detected by the method and the color thereof.